A Limited Edition HO-Scale Rapido Trains PC&F 5317 50' Single Door Box Car painted for freelance model railroad South Ridge Lines!
Dean Freytag's South Ridge Lines is one of five freelance model railroads that make up the Cardinal System. This railroad was introduced to the hobby over 35 years ago in the April 1989 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine! The faithfully reproduced red-and-black Cardinal System logo is an eye-catching graphic on this sharp car! If you want to roster a classy nod to a long-time freelance model railroad concept, this car is a must-have!
About the Prototype:
In 1979 Pacific Car & Foundry built 799 50’ exterior post boxcars of either 5241 or 5317 cubic foot capacity (depending on the interior configuration). Boston and Maine received 200, while shortline Berlin Mills Railway (BMS) in New Hampshire leased 399 and Olympic Railroad (OLYR) in Washington state leased 200.
These boxcars came at the end of the Incentive Pier Diem era, a time when shortlines (or investors using shortline reporting marks) bought large numbers of cars for favorable car hire rates. This car is known as the “Berlin Mills Boxcar” because of the iconic paint scheme on the largest batch of cars. It also has a distinct look amongst the sea of IPD boxcars from the late 70’s, owing to its uncommon flat roof and large end ribs.
Built Date: 7-1979
The Rapido Trains HO scale PC&F 5317 boxcar features:
- Separately applied metal grab irons
- Accurately scaled from prototype measurements and photos
- Full underbody brake rigging and detail
- Three door styles as appropriate for each fleet
- Separately applied coupler cut levers
- Separate door tracks
- Factory-installed Rapido semi-scale knuckle couplers
- Newly tooled 70 ton trucks with turned metal 33” wheels