ATSF Bx-11/12/13

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.

ATSF Bx-11, -12 and -13 Pratt Truss Single Sheathed Box Cars


In 1929 the Santa Fe switched from building composite double sheathed box cars to their first single sheathed box cars. These cars were based on the ARA Standard XM-1 single sheathed box car design approved in 1924. These cars differed from the ARA Standard in that they were nearly a foot taller with a 9'6" interior height. A more interesting detail, unique to the Santa Fe cars was the use of threaded tension rods, rather than a steel strap, applied diagonally at the lower corners of the side. Photos show that most of these were removed over time.

The 2,000 Bx-11 class cars (124000-125999) were built in 1929 featuring radial roofs, "inverse" or "indented" Dreadnaught ends with 3 corrugations in the top panel, and 4 in the bottom, Youngstown doors, and rode on Dalman Two-Level trucks.

In 1930, 3,500 Bx-12 class cars (126000-129499) were built. The major difference of the Bx-12 cars were their Dalman One-Level trucks. There were additional minor differences in the switch from a top-operating to a bottom-operating uncoupling lever, and the placement or attachment of various grab irons, the route cards, and reporting marks on the ends of the car. 

In 1931, an additional 1,000 cars were built as the Bx-13 class (135000-135999). The major difference over the Bx-12 class was the use of a peaked Murphy Solid Steel Roof instead of the Radial roof on the earlier cars. This is similar to the familiar Rectangular Panel Roof used in the '30s and '40s minus the rectangular stiffening panels. The door was slightly different as well, being the currently produced iteration of the Youngstown corrugated steel door.

All cars of these classes used the then-standard KC brake system.

Modifications 1941-1944

From 1941-1944, Santa Fe modified most of the Bx-11 and -12 class cars by increasing their height. In addition, they received AB brake appliances.

Beginning in 1941, they received new Murphy Rectangular Panel Roofs applied on top of steel spacers and a new blank end panel, increasing the interior height of the car by 6" to 10'0" which was the AAR Standard at the time, although a Modified Standard was approved in 1941 for a 10'6" interior height.


In 1943, they began installing a new modification using a taller steel spacer on the sides, with hat-section stiffening ribs, and an end panel with an extra corrugation, increasing the interior height of these cars to the 10'6" that had been approved as the optional Modified AAR Standard in 1941. This modification is much more visible, making it possible to identify these cars in photos even at an oblique angle.

1945 Renumbering

By the end of this modification program, around 1,500 Bx-12s remained in their as-built configuration. In 1945, the Bx-11s with the taller extended roofs were renumbered into the 210000-211049 series, and the Bx-12s as 211051-214549 series. The cars that were modified with the shorter 8" extensions, or not modified, retained their original road numbers.

Longevity

The cars were long-lived. Of the 5,500 built, approx 1,500 were still in service in 1950 in their original configuration. By 1960, the un-modified cars were down to less than 300 (all would have received AB brake appliances by 1953) with the final two retired in 1975/6

The ~3,200 cars that received the 12" roof extensions lasted in greater quantities for longer, with 3,091of the 21000-214549 series with the extended roofs were in service in 1961. They numbered just shy of 1,000 cars in 1967, and 9 in 1975.

In the early '50s, the Bx-13 class would be the first to undergo a more substantial rebuilding.

1950, 1956, and 1961 Steel Rebuilds 



By 1950, less than 25 of the Bx-13 class had been lost, presumably to accidents. But none of this class had received the extended roof modifications of the Bx-11 and -12 classes. This would be rectified by a more substantial rebuilding to the same 10'6" interior height by adding an extra corrugated panel on the end, and by installing new steel sides, for all practical purposes appearing like the many AAR Standard box cars of the era. The usual tell-tale signs of a rebuilt car being the ends and the side sill, and the characteristic notch at the corners due to the slightly narrower ends.

Starting in 1950, by 1953 there were 980 of the steel cars renumbered into the 32500-33484 series, and one lone car remaining in the original configuration. Through 1967, there were still at least 924 on the road, and 132 in 1975.

In 1956, the Bx-11 cars that had received the 12" height extension were rebuilt and numbered into the 19000-19895 series. Those with the 8" roof modification were rebuilt and renumbered into the 19896-20438 series.

In 1961, some of the Bx-12 classes started to receive steel sides. Those in the 20460-20559 series were identical to the rebuilt Bx-11 class.

Longevity

The rebuilt Bx-11 and -12 classes in the 19000-20558 series numbered 1,381 in 1967, with more than 1,000 in 1970, but then declined to 256 in 1975, with the final cars off the roster by 1980.

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 80000-80978 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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