X28 Series Box Car Information for Modelers

Funaro & Camerlengo X28A - Available with multiple brake and door configurations.

The PRR’s X28 boxcar was developed from a combination of the evolution of lessons learned with the X25 fleet and the ARA mandate for standardized single-sheathed 50 ton boxcars. The X28 was an automobile version of the ARA boxcar, although based on a PRR design. The first 1,000 cars of the 5,000 car fleet were equipped with corrugated Youngstown doors, with the remaining 4,000 equipped with three-panel car builder doors. The X28 fleet was built during 1924 and 1926. Following development of the X31 “wagontop” boxcar in 1933 by the PRR, the X28 Automobile version was deemed obsolete and a rebuild program from 7/1933 to 7/1935 removed the double door configuration to only a single door creating the X28a. Nearly the entire X28 fleet was converted to the X28a class. By 1955, 3,500 X28a remained and by 1968, only 8 were still on the roster. (Source: www.mountvernonshops.com)

The X28 has been offered in brass by Overland and Precision Scale. The X28A has been offered in brass by Oriental Limited and Overland, and in resin by Funaro & Camerlengo and Sunshine. Decals are available from www.mountvernonshops.com.

Three lots of X28 were built:

• Series 28100-29099, built 5-24 to 11-24 by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.
• Series 29100-30999, built 7-24 to 12-24 by Standard Steel Car Co., Middletown, Pa.
• Series 37000-37099, built 12-24 by Standard Steel Car Co., Middletown, Pa.

Overview of Sub-Classes

Cars on the PRR roster (as listed in the Official Railway Equipment Register (ORER)):