CGW/L&N/PM/C&O Auto Cars

Prototype Information for Project #1

We are crowdfunding this project and it is vital that you make your pledge to back our project on our IndieGoGo page by March 9, 2020 or it will not move forward. We were able to extend the funding period once. The IndieGoGo terms allow a maximum 60-day funding period, and we cannot extend it beyond that date.

CGW 80400-80978 Pratt Truss Single Sheathed Auto Cars


In 1929, CGW built a series of double door auto cars based on the ARA Standard XM-1 single sheathed box car, numbered in the 80400-80978 series (even numbers). Like similar cars, they featured a Pratt truss configuration of steel external bracing with wood sheathing, Dreadnaught ends with three corrugations in each of three panels, radial roofs, and a 12' door opening with Youngstown doors. As with most cars built in this era they used KC Brake appliances with ARA Plate 2 horizontal ("stemwinder") hand brakes.

As with many auto cars of 10'0" interior height, their numbers dwindled relatively quickly after WWII. There were still 138 cars in 1950, plus an additional 19 equipped with Evans loading devices but only 50 remaining in 1955.

L&N 46000-46399 series Pratt Truss Auto Cars


Also in 1929, the L&N built a similar series of single sheathed auto cars numbered 46000-46399. These utilized Dreadnaught ends with 4 corrugations on the top panel, and 5 on the bottom with Murphy Outside Metal roofs. The side sill configuration differed slightly from the CGW cars.

There were still 312 in 1947, and 232 in 1950, but only 5 remained in service in 1955. Only #46282 was listed in service from 1956-'58, and was gone in 1959. It's possible that the majority of these cars, did not receive AB brake appliances.

PM 89350-90349 series Pratt Truss Auto Cars


The PM built Auto Cars in 1926 based on the XM-1 design, with 10' door openings and 1 1/2 Camel (wood) doors and 4 rib Hutchins ends. In 1929 they added new cars in the 89350-90349 series that were taller and featured 12' door openings with double Youngstown steel doors. Due to the increased height they had Hutchins ends that featured 4 ribs plus a narrow 5th rib at the top of the ends. They had Hutchins Dry Lading roofs, KC brake appliances, and rode on Dalman Two-Level trucks.

After C&O Acquisition

In 1940, the PM rebuilt many of the cars as single door box cars by removing the left door and installing an additional steel diagonal. When the C&O acquired the PM in 1947, there were 99 cars in the original configuration and and 772 in the rebuilt configuration.



Many of the cars were relettered for the C&O over time, at which point they were renumbered by adding a 2 to the beginning of the number (289350-290349). In 1950 there were 62 of the 6' door cars relettered to C&O, with 630 still bearing PM numbers, and 67 cars in PM lettering still with 12' door openings. By 1955 there are 612 cars listed as C&O, and 116 as PM, all with 6' doors. 

Project #1: The Models

We are producing models for all of the following cars in this run:
  1. ATSF 124000-125999 Bx-11/12/13 classes
  2. ATSF Bx-11/12 classes with 8" extended roof
  3. ATSF Bx-11/12 classes with 12" extended roof
  4. ATSF Bx-11/12/13 classes rebuilt with steel sides
  5. C&O 289450-290349 series tall Pratt truss auto cars
  6. C&O 289350-290349 series Pratt truss box cars (converted from auto cars)
  7. CGW 80400-80978 series Pratt truss auto cars
  8. L&N 46000-46399 series Pratt truss auto cars
  9. PM 89350-90349 series tall Pratt truss auto cars
  10. PM 89350-90349 series Pratt truss box cars (converted from auto cars)
  11. RI 141000-142999 series tall Pratt truss box cars

All models will be produced Ready-to-Run with class and era-appropriate details and lettering with an SRP of $50. All major paint schemes worn by the cars will be produced.

Reweigh dates will be within 6 months of when a paint scheme was applied, or as close to that as our research allows. Additional reweigh decals will be included.

Decorated or undecorated kits will also be available at the same price, but will include extra parts.

Parts will also be available separately.

We are crowdfunding this project and it is vital that you make your pledge to back our project on our IndieGoGo page by March 9, 2020 or it will not move forward. We were able to extend the funding period once. The IndieGoGo terms allow a maximum 60-day funding period, and we cannot extend it beyond that date.

Other Variations

There were several other variations of these cars. A number of the Santa Fe cars received roof hatches for special service, newer steel side rebuilds with flush sliding ("plug") doors, and others that received Transco steel sides are a few. All of these are variations that we'd like to consider, providing the project raises enough additional funding.


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