Like many modelers, I have a huge collection of unbuilt freight car kits -- about 200. They get backburnered to building the layout, scenery, and preparing for operations.
So when I recently scheduled surgery to repair my left anterior talofibular ligament and my doctor told me I would have to keep my foot elevated for several weeks, it didn't take long to come up with busy work. I pulled out a stock of plastic kits and all of the tools required for assembly.
Seventeen days after surgery I can call the project complete, with 35 cars having been added to the roster.
F30A Flat Cars
The first build was six Bowser F30A flat cars, bringing my roster total to 11.
The most prevalent flat on the Pennsy roster as of 1954, they accounted for 54% of the flat car fleet. The 11 on my roster account for 46% of my car fleet.
GLA Hopper Cars
The second build was nine Bowser GLA hopper cars, including one in Berwind livery. These bring my roster total to 26 Pennsy and six Berwind.
The second most prevalent hopper on the Pennsy roster as of 1954, they accounted for 35% of the hopper fleet. The 26 on my roster account for 24% of my fleet.
H21A Hopper Cars
The third build was six Bowser H21A hopper cars, bringing my roster total to 43.
The most prevalent hopper on the Pennsy roster as of 1954, they accounted for 50% of the hopper fleet. The 43 on my roster account for 40% of my fleet.
REX Express Refridgerator Cars
The fourth build was two Branchline Trains express refridgerator cars. Both in "as delivered" livery, one is lettered for Railway Express Agency and the other for Atlantic Coast Line.
The Branchline kits (now offered by Atlas) take plastic kits to the next level, including underbody piping and separately applied grabs, etc.
X44 Box Cars
The fifth build was four Branchline Trains X44 box cars. These were USRA post war design 50' box cars delivered with 8' Youngstown doors.
X43B Box Cars
The sixth build was four Branchline Trains X43B box cars. These were USRA post war design 40' box cars delivered with 7' Superior doors.
Unfortunately, Branchline shipped the kits with Youngstown doors. Superior doors are on order from Atlas.
X43C Box Cars
The seventh build was four Branchline Trains X43C box cars. These were USRA post war design 40' box cars delivered with 8' Youngstown doors.