Railroads began hauling automobiles in 40' box cars in the 1920's. In the 30's they began using a device called an "Evan Auto Loader" which held a couple autos off the floor at angles using chains, racks and pulleys so another auto would slip (mostly) underneath. The March 1995 issue of Rail Model Journal has a drawing of an "Evan Auto Loader" used in Pennsy round roof boxcars. At one time the Pennsy had over 2000 of a single class of 40' boxcars (X31) so equipped. My understanding is they were very popular for hauling jeeps before and during WW2.
The use of boxcars to haul automobiles fell off rapidly in the 1950's, lost mostly to truck auto carriers. You can find photos of those highway auto carriers being handled on railroad flat cars or in gondolas especially Rock Island "War Emergency" gons with the sides stripped off. I'm not enough of a freight car historian to know when what we might call the "modern" version of auto racks started on the rails my guess is sometime in the 60's. Looks like your best bet is stretching history with a 40' double door car or using models of early highway auto carriers... Studebaker had plants in South Bend, IN and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. BTW, maybe a little known fact, Studebaker started out as a carriage and wagon manufacturer - the Budweiser Clydesdales are pulling a Studebaker wagon modified to carry beer! Jim Kindraka Plymouth, WI --- In [email protected], "aztecfan" <aztecfan@...> wrote: > > I just finished a 1955 Studebaker Dealership > > I was looking for some Perm-Bilt box car ends to build some kit bashing auto > cars. > > I keep forgetting which Lionel car to get to convert to S. > > Then I though I better ask for help. > > What type of auto car do I need for 1955? > > Does any one know what RR served the Studebaker factory? > > I have a train show to go to next week. So I can look for decals. > > Thanks > > Jim Sleeth > ------------------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
