This lightweight baggage-express car joined more than 100 similar streamlined cars built between 1954 and 1963 to haul mail and express shipments, with another 19 cars for passenger baggage.
These baggage cars operated system wide in the UP’s Streamliner car pool and on secondary trains until Amtrak took over in 1971. A few were retained by the UP for company service.
Accurate detailing. The Walthers model matches the dimensions shown in a prototype car diagram published in The Union Pacific Streamliners by Harold E. Ranks and William W. Kratville.
The baggage car is built in the same manner as other Walthers passenger cars. The model’s sides, underframe, ends, and roof snap on to a plastic frame. Although not visible from outside, this car has interior accommodations for an express messenger or train baggageman.
The model is smoothly painted with opaque red lettering and striping. A set of decal car numbers is included for application by the purchaser. The end grab irons are properly painted gray, while the unpainted side grab irons look like they’re nickel plated.
Running gear. A pair of concealed steel weights bring the model up to the seven ounces specified in the National Model Railroad Association’s Recommended Practice 20.1 for a car of this length. Optional (DC or DCC) interior lighting kits are sold separately, and the weights become part of the circuit.
Walthers Proto-Max magnetic knuckle couplers are mounted at the proper height in swinging coupler boxes so the car will negotiate a 24″ radius. The car also has sprung diaphragms, but the coupler spacing doesn’t quite let the diaphragms touch.
The Commonwealth six-wheel roller-bearing trucks have die-cast metal truck sideframes mounted on insulated bolsters. The RP-25 contour wheelsets are in gauge and insulated for power pickup in case the buyer adds lighting. The rolling qualities are a bit on the stiff side.
This ACF 85-foot baggage-express car is an excellent addition to the Walthers Streamliner series. At least one of these cars would be found in most of the prototype UP streamlined consists.
Manufacturer
Wm. K. Walthers Inc.
P.O. Box 3039
Milwaukee, WI 53201-3039
www.walthers.com
Road name: Union Pacific. Undecorated also available
Era: 1954 to 1971
Features
- Accepts Walthers drop-in lighting kits (not included)
- Decals for car numbers
- Die-cast metal and plastic Commonwealth six-wheel trucks with scale 36″-diameter RP-25 metal wheels on plastic axles
- Factory-installed wire handrails
- Minimum radius: 24″
- Die-cast metal Proto-Max magnetic knuckle couplers at correct height according to National Model Railroad Association S-2
- Weight: 7 ounces (matches NMRA RP-20.1)
