Pennsylvania X-38 boxcars

Classic Trains General Discussion
1

I have been doing some research on Pennsylvania X-38 boxcars on account of a old HO scale model I have. I have done a bit of research online and I found that these boxcars were fitted with racks for the shipment of auto parts. I wonder if this was done to all or only some of the X-38 class? My model has “Automobiles” lettering, and I had assumed it was used to ship finished automobiles. Is this correct or were these cars used to ship auto parts only? lois

2

Hi Lois,

Not all the X38 class boxcars were built for automobile use. The X38 and its varied sub classes were built new or modified during WWII for shipment of automobile parts and some equipped with end doors to ship the finished product. Other class’s of which I know of nine included the X38n, for example, was used for pulp wood shipments.

Modifications to the X38A interior was made for fast and efficient loading and unloading parts, the end door class also X38A, obviously for the ease of pulling a vehicle directly into the boxcar or the loading of large parts.

3

What the heck for? There were no (or damn few) autos for sale 1942-44.

4

Jeeps, designed by Wilies-Overland, were manufactured by all major automobile manufacturers and had to be shipped to ports and military basies. Also 1/2-ton trucks, armored personal carries, etc. Tanks generally were shipped on flatcars. The automobile parts cars were used to ship airplane and ship parts as well as automoble and truck parts.

5

Thanks, Dave. I was thrown by that “automobile use.”