Can anyone provide information on this? Date produced? Manufacturer? I received it in addition to a recent purchase. It appears to be O-scale. Top and bottom are wood, and the sides are cardboard. It has plastic trucks, with operating couplers. The corner steps seem to be staples. Also is Despatch a typo?
I really don’t care if it’s worth anything, I really like the car, and will at least display it, if not make it a runner.
Thank you,
Kurt
“Despatch” is a spelling variant that you will often see on old railroad cars. The railroads also liked to use “emigrant” where we would now spell it “immigrant”.
From the way you describe it and the photos it appears to be a car put together from a kit with Lionel equivalent trucks on it. The box car may need to be weighted to run correctly and not derail.
Lee F.
[8D]Very interesting Thanks for posting a photo it was probaly a kit.
Great!
Thanks for the help.
Kurt
Rob
I’ve seen cars like this before and own a number of them myself. As mentioned, it was most certainly kit-built. This would probably date anywhere from the 1930’s to the 1950’s. The trucks aren’t original, being modern Lionel ones. There were numerous manufacturers of such kits, Walthers being the most well-known.
It looks to be an “Atheran” style of postwar kit.
Several mfgrs made this type of kit, All Nation, Megow, recently Bob Peare, and Quality Craft (known better today as Weaver!!!)
The sides are pre-printed, the kit’s builder had to paint the rest himself.
Years ago, the NMRA Bulliten had car sides in several scales inserted in that publication.
As for value, most have sentimental value, as far as monitary value, run the wheels off of it, and enjoy.
As for the spelling, many words have changed spelling, as well as meaning over the years. (Think about that for a moment, you know which ones have changed meanings)
SE Michigan has a show comming up in February. I’ll be on the lookout for more of these, as research.
Thank you again,
Kurt
Kurt,
If you have access to the latest OGauge Railroad magazine, they have a little story about these kits in the front of the magazine. It is the editors desk. It does not have much information, but does explain about these kits and the fun of putting them together.
Interesting piece and thanks for sharing.
Dennis
Thanks Dennis,
I bought the Holiday issue, and they are talking about the crane cars.
I will have to buy that one!
Thank you,
Kurt