News: Freight Cars
This report lists freight cars that are available or in the works. This page may also contain detailing parts and other items applicable to these cars. Click photos to visit the web sites.
Coupler Boxes by Smoky Mountain Model Works
Jim King announced that he has converted his previously-released Kadee-, Inventive Models-, and Sergent-compatible coupler boxes to 3D-printed versions. These are available now and are only available in grey.
4180 Airslide Covered Hopper Kit by Benn Central Shops
Benn Central Shops announces the 3D-printed kit for an 4180 Airslide covered hopper. These cars were manufactured by General American Car Company starting in 1963 for a wide variety of railroads. They have a far larger capacity than the original mid-1950s Airslide hoppers (made in S-scale by River Raisin Models in brass in 1988). 3D Central will be printing and shipping these kits starting in mid-December 2024. The kit is for the body only; the modeler will need to supply the desired decals, appropriate 100-ton trucks, and the couplers. Benn Central Shops is working on producing a separately-available 100-ton truck, but it is not ready yet.
Freight Car Loads by American Models
American Models offers these 3D-printed, unpainted loads for flat cars and gondolas.
Intermodal Spine Cars Proposal by American Models
American Models is considering another run of the 1996 intermodal spine cars. This was a 5-car set. Some of their original tooling is missing, so they will need to make an investment in re-creating that tooling, hence the need for finding out how many people would be interested. If you are interested in possibly purchasing one or more of these sets, please contact American Models via e-mail (see below) or by calling them at (734) 449-1100.
Start an e-mail message (corbinbates@netscape.net).
Type 27 8,000-gallon Tank Car by Pre-Size Model Specialties
Pre-Size Model Specialties is announcing their next S-scale kit, the Type 27 8,000-gallon tank car. These Type 27 tank cars were built from 1927 well into the 1940s. American Car & Foundry built more than 1,800 of them. They were the most common type of tank car in the first half of the 20th century. These cars were used to carry petroleum, alcohol, ammonia, chemicals, molasses, and vegetable oil. Most were rebuilt for use as maintenance-of-way cars well into the 1980s. The kit was manufactured for Pre-Size by Miniatures from the North (Simon Parent). The kit consists of 3D-printed parts and wooden footboards. The final model is very accurate and detailed. Highly-detailed instructions are available via the Pre-Size web site, so you can see what this project entails. The kit does not come with trucks, couplers, or decals. Steve Wolcott indicated that he is exploring decals.
The company is also announcing that they are now the U.S. distributor for Miniature from the North's Bettendorf 50-ton trucks. If you are in the U.S., this will save you the cost of paying for international shipping (Miniatures from the North is based in Canada), and Pre-Size offers free shipping within the U.S.
90-ton Depressed Center Flat Car by Steel Mill Modelers Supply
Steel Mill Modelers Supply announces the S-scale version of their 90-ton depressed-center car. The car is 3D-printed and arrives unpainted. The kit includes the body, the brake wheel, the company's own 100-ton trucks and scale metal wheels, hardware, Kadee S-scale #802 couplers, and a metal weight. On their web site, be sure to select "1/64" for the S-scale version. The modeler has to paint the model and provide the desired decals to complete the car.
Another Run of the Railbox Box Car by American Models
American Models has produced another run of their 50-foot Railbox box car. They are also offering a set of 4 cars, each with their own road number. As is standard with American Models, these are available with hi-rail wheels and couplers, or scale wheels and couplers.
Freight Car Trucks by Steel Mill Modelers Supply
Steel Mill Modelers Supply announces two new trucks available in S-scale. The three-axle, 6-wheel Buckeye truck with roller bearings fit any heavy-duty freight car from the 1960s onward. They come with 36" scale metal wheels, and nylon inserted bearings. They are available for $25 per pair in kit form or painted and assembled for $35 a pair. The four-wheel ASF 100-ton roller bearing truck has similar features, but they come only in kit form. They are $19.95 a pair.
Pullman-Standard Covered Hopper Kits by Benn Central Shops
After a very long time of perfecting his design, and after showing examples at the recent NASG Convention in Harrisburg, PA, Ben Trousdale is excited to announce the availability of his first two covered hopper kits. These are kits for 3D-printed bodies only. The modeler will need to complete the model by adding trucks, wheels, couplers, paint, and decals. These are available for $70 each, and the first print is scheduled to start on October 15, 2024. The Pullman Standard 4750 three-bay covered hopper was manufactured from 1972 through 1981, for a total of over 56,000 cars! These well-built cars are still used today. Also available for pre-order is the Pullman Standard 3000 two-bay covered hopper, built starting in 1977. Bill Lane built an early pre-production version of the 4750 car and had Circus City make Conrail decals for him, so those should be available from that company, if you are interested.
Treadwell 200-ton Hot-Metal Car by State Tool & Die
State Tool & Die is pleased to announce their first S-scale kit. The company was founded in 1945, and since 1993 has been producing steel-mill-related model railroading items in HO-scale. This is their first venture into S. The Treadwell 200-ton hot metal cars are used to transport hot iron from Cleveland Cliffs in Northern Indiana to Cleveland Cliffs' BOF in Riverdale, IL over the mainline. There are typically five to eight of these in a train, and they run on an almost daily basis. This S-scale kit comes complete with trucks, scale metal wheels, and Kadee couplers. The kit costs $225. If you are able to attend the The Great Berea Train Show this upcoming weekend (October 5 & 6), State Tool & Die will be there and they will offer this S-scale kit for $200 (they will also have 4-pack and 100-pack S-scale wheels available for sale at $10 and $100, respectively). State Tool & Die's web site is linked below, but they don't have the car listed on their site yet. However, the Steel Mill Modeler's Supply web site does have the car listed (be sure to select "1/64" otherwise you get the HO-scale version!), for a slightly reduced price.
Fox Trucks by B.T.S.
Bill Wade announced that he has his caster working on the S-scale version of the Fox trucks. No word on a due date or costs. The Fox trucks were very popular in the late 1800s, because they were able to support up to 120 tons. Samson Fox, the inventor, was a British gentleman, who made an arrangement with an American to sell his trucks in the U.S. Within a year the NYC ordered 100 pair, and when the PRR heard of this, they ordered 150 pair. Due to their success in the U.S. they formed the Fox Solid Pressed Steel Company in New Jersey in late 1888. Two years later, they were producing 100 trucks per month, selling to over 30 railroads. The 1893 economic crash took the company down. They formed the Fox Pressed Steel Company in Pennsylvania in early 1896, but its focus was on building complete freight cars (mostly hoppers and flat cars).
The 2024 NASG Annual Member Car
Since 2020 the NASG has been producing the Annual Member Car specifically for NASG members. This year's car is an insulated reefer to be produced for us by American Models. The Mathieson Dry Ice reefer has an aluminum body color, brown ends, and black lettering. The car was owned by National Car Company (NX), which was a subsidiary of the Fruit Growers Express Company (FGE), and leased to Mathieson Chemical Company for use in a dedicated dry-ice hauling service. The model will be based on the 2200-series of insulated reefers that American Models has produced. There will be two prototype railroad numbers available, namely #8842 and #8855, and they will be available with either hi-rail wheels and couplers or "scale" wheels and couplers. Update: Jim Whipple was able to find two real-world photos of the car on the Web, linked to below.
2024 NASG Convention Car Second Run by American Models
The 2024 NASG Convention group has commissioned American Models to do another run of the red Reading box car. The cars were more popular than expected. The photo shown is of the first run, road number 18034. The second run of this box-car-red car will have the prototypically-correct road number #18099. These are very limited, to 20 each of the hi-rail version and 20 each of the "scale" version. You can pre-order the car now. We do not have a firm delivery date on these.
2024 NASG Convention Car
Due to a misunderstanding (on my part), it appears that we still have a number of the 2024 NASG Convention Cars in stock. The only version still available is the hi-rail Reading green car, road number 18088. The "scale" version sold out during the Convention, and the red car (#18034, both hi-rail and scale) sold out prior to the Convention. The car is available via the Store section of this web site (click the photo or the link, below).
Sn3 Freight Cars by Western Rails Company
Western Rails Company announces the availability of Sn3 3D-printed freight cars. Note that for the high-sided gondolas, the company also offers the pipe gondola (no ends) and the idler flat (no ends and no sides) versions of those cars. These are bodies only; the modeler must supply everything else to complete the model. As a side note: if you see a model that they only offer in another scale, contact them to see if they can make it in S; they have indicated that they are willing to do so.
Flat Car Load by Phoenix Precision Models
The company has available a flat car load of a pair of WWII-era Jeeps. These are 3D-printed, unpainted models.
New Zealand Railway Freight Cars by New Zealand Finescale
These are one-piece 3D-printed body kits with etched-brass underframe with working suspension. These include the North Yard wheels, but do not include the couplers and the chain hooks (available separately). Decals might be available upon request. Full instructions are available on their web site. Note that these are gauged to Sn42 (a.k.a. Sn3.5).
Halliburton Flat Car Kit by Pre-Size Model Specialties
Pre-Size Model Specialties announces a new resin kit. Thrall and Halliburton built 150 of these specialized cars in the 1960s. They were scrapped in 2023. These cars were built to carry dry ingredients for oil drilling and roamed the country from Alaska to Texas and points east, everywhere Halliburton was drilling. The kit consists of high-quality resin castings, PVC pipe, and many detail parts. Custom etchings of roof walks and ladders are included, as well as decals. Does not come with trucks or couplers. This kit was produced in partnership with Rumbling Rails Engineering.
New D&RGW TOFC Set by Depot G Hobbies
On February 15, 2024, Depot G Hobbies (NASG Dispatch advertiser, and 2024 NASG Convention vendor) announced an exclusive freight car run, to be manufactured for them by American Models. This is the Rio Grande Motorways TOFC set. Rio Grande Motorways was the trucking and bus subsidiary company of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The set includes two D&RGW TOFC flat cars (standard-gauge) with different road numbers, one with as-delivered silver lettering and one with later white lettering. Also included are three 40-foot Motorways trailers with different paint schemes.
Update: These have now been delivered. The 5-piece set is $199 plus shipping. The initial order is limited to 35 sets. If you have already placed an order, or are going to place an order, you can, optionally, order an additional set of the three trailers. Note that the trailers are not for sale separately; you must order the complete set before qualifying for the additional set of trailers. The updated photos show American Models' actual production models. The first and second photo show the set (the second flat car is not shown).
New: The company commissioned American Models to also go ahead and produce 20 D&GRW non-TOFC flat cars. This one is shown in the third photo. These are priced at $55 plus shipping and can be ordered separately from the above-mentioned set. Again, these can be picked up at the upcoming NASG Convention to save on shipping.
On Windows computers, right-click on the photos to see a larger version.
The company does not have a web site, so place your order via postal mail, e-mail, or by phone.
Depot G Hobbies
Jim Marski
P.O. Box 63
Pine, CO 80470
(303) 345-5031
Start an e-mail message (DepotGHobbies@outlook.com).
Loads by Terrain3D
The company sells only via eBay. They offer several unpainted, 3D-printed gondola and flat car loads in S-scale.
PS-1 Box Car Kit (updated) by Smoky Mountain Model Works
Jim King, of Smoky Mountain Model Works, recently announced that he is considering producing a kit of the ubiquitous 40-foot PS-1 box car. If you model 1948 or later, you may well be interested in this project. Update: Jim has received the required minimum reservations, so the project is a "go". To keep the number of choices to a minimum, Jim will only produce one body style (the most common one), and only the 8-foot door version using Youngstown-design doors (the most common one). Pullman-Standard built these into the mid-1960s. The kit will be to SMMW's usual high standards. The correct ASF Ride Control trucks will be available separately for $32 per pair. Since there were so many railroads that bought these cars, SMMW's kit will not include decals, but those decals can be sourced from several decal manufacturers (e.g. K4 Decals, Circus City Decals & Graphics). The price of the kit is yet to be determined. If you are interested in one or more of these kits, or would like to amend your previous reservations, contact Jim to make a no-deposit reservation. Click on the e-mail link or visit the web site to contact Jim. He provided a listing of the railroads that had these cars:
A&WP, AA, ACL
BAR, BM
C&EI, CG, C&G (Columbus & Greenville), C&O, CGW, CNJ, CNW
D&H, DSS&A
Erie
GA, GN, GTW
KCS
L&N, LECX, LS&I
M&Stl, MILW, MKT, MP
N&W, NJI&I, NRBX, NYC, NYRX
PRR
RI, Rutland
Sav & Atl, SAL, SCL, SLSF, SOO, Southern, SSW
TLCX, TM
UP, USAF, USAX, USMC, USN
VGN
Wabash, WofA, WP
Start an e-mail message (jimking3@charter.net).
3D-printing a Cement Car
In this video, S-scale modeler Aaron Myers shows, in great detail, how he took a set of HO-scaled 3D-printing files freely available from Thingyverse, converted them into S-scale, and then printed and built the cement car. It is a neat see-what-it-takes kind of video. His video has the link to the Thingyverse web site if you are interested in printing this car yourself.
Union Pacific 52-foot Gondola
The Southern California S Gaugers club have their 2023 S Fest West Car available for sale to the general public. The car was manufactured for them by American Models. The removable load is included. The car is available with two prototype-based road numbers, and can be ordered with AF-compatible wheels and couplers (default) or "scale" wheels and couplers. Follow the link to their web site, scroll down a bit, and download and print their PDF order form. Additional loads are separately available (see their web site for details).
New Freight Car Ends by Pre-Size Model Specialties
Steve Wolcott, of Pre-Size Model Specialties, announces that he has two new freight car ends available in S-scale, one for gondolas and one for box cars.
ATSF Tank Car by American Models
American Models has released a new paint scheme for their tank car. Also of note is the fact that they have an unpainted version available (see second photo), and a version that is factory-painted black but without lettering, for your own custom projects.
Helium Car Kit (updated) by Beaver Models
The NASG's Annual Car manager, Norman Bos, came across this unique model, a United States Navy helium car. These cars were built by General American (GATX) for the Navy in 1942 and 1943. They ran into the 1990s. The model is a 3D-printed car. It comes complete with the 100-ton ACF clasp brake trucks, which the company's owner specifically designed for this car, all based on extensive research into these cars. The kit comes with metal wheelsets. The model has 30 actual tubes, dual under-frame brake systems, ladders and grab irons are separate (not molded-in), and K4-provided decals. As the web site states, everything is included except for glue and paint! Note that these models are 3D-printed on-demand. The owner states on his web site that it takes about 12 hours to print one of these, and that is before the curing and other kit preparations that have to be done. Photos courtesy of Norman Bos.
Update: the company has now listed the car on their web site, ready to order.
Sn3 Car Kits by Leadville Designs
The company announces these kits, which should be available over the next several weeks. They come with etched brass, laser-cut woods, 3D-printed details, injected details, and cast brass body bolsters on the C&S cars.
News Loads by JWD Premium Products
The company has added several more freight car loads to their S-scale product line.
New Sn3 Car Kits Planned by Leadville Designs
The company announces three new kits. These are composed of laser-cut wood, injection-molded and 3D-printed plastic parts, and metal details. They do not come with trucks or couplers.
USRA 40' Rebuilt Steel Box Cars by ScaleTrains
ScaleTrains announces the shipment of their second S-scale product, the 40-foot steel rebuilt box car. The models come with hi-rail wheels and couplers factory-installed, and scale wheels and Kadee-compatible, S-Helper Service couplers included in the box. Those who pre-ordered their cars should see them arrive in the mail this week.
Be sure to see all, or other, products announced over the past year via the main News page.