I bought a set of Branchline GAEX 50’ single door boxcars that I have seen were leased to the PRR, and out of the box, they seem pretty accurate, but a couple details I’d like to include are the unique Chrysler-Symington Gould FR-5 trucks and the LEASED TO PRR placards on the sides. Any information would be appreciated.
The General American 50 foot RBL and XM cars were also extensively covered in Vol. 15 of the RP CYC (Railway Prototype Cyclopedia). Much of the material is from Evans Products literature and technical documents. The publication may be still be available from rail book sellers.
I found that a couple companies have made decals and did find a source for the trucks. These boxcars will be neat to put together and I’ll have pics to show. The models are definitely different from my usual ones with the dark green paint, yellow lettering, and other details.
Railmodel Journal had an excellant article on modeling these cars including the decals so I ended up building a couple, but I used the version with the horizontal riveted batten on the side. The only problem is the Chrysler Trucks that are not made in any scale. I did a Wabash and PRR version.
Thank you for your response Rich! Your models look great!
I’m going to use the decals out there to add the “LEASED TO P.R.R.” placards and even though the road numbers will be off, I don’t care. The presence of those placards will do more to enhance the model to me over the presence of incorrect, but barely, road numbers.
