Uncataloged Premier O Scale 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Boxcars Announced

April 1, 2022 - M.T.H. Electric Trains has announced two exclusive Premier O Scale 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Boxcars in unique Santa Fe and Cherokee Brewery liveries for Patrick's Trains in Wheeling, West Virginia. These very limited boxcar releases are available in two different car numbers each and are only available for order on a first-come, first-served basis. Anticipated delivery is August 2022

Item No. 20-99336 Santa Fe 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Box Car
Car No. 140213
Pre-Order Price: $74.99 (plus freight)
Click HERE to order.

Item No. 20-99337 Santa Fe 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Box Car
Car No. 140214
Pre-Order Price: $74.99 (plus freight)
Click HERE to order.

Item No. 20-99340 Cherokee Brewery 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Box Car
Car No. 31863
Pre-Order Price: $74.99 (plus freight)
Click HERE to order.

Item No. 20-99341 Cherokee Brewery 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Box Car
Car No. 51663
Pre-Order Price: $74.99 (plus freight)
Click HERE to order. ABOUT THE USRA DOUBLE SHEATHED BOXCAR

At midnight on Monday, December 31, 1917, the federal government took control of the U.S. railroad system. Acting under wartime powers granted to him by Congress, President Woodrow Wilson had nationalized the railroads when they proved unequal to the task of moving massive amounts of men and materiel for the Great War in Europe. Although hostilities would end in 11 months, government control would last until 1920. The agency that ran the trains was the United States Railroad Administration or USRA, and one of its chief accomplishments was the building of nearly 100,000 freight cars of five standard designs, to relieve equipment shortages.

What would become the car committee of the USRA had actually started its work in the summer of 1917. Appointed by the Council of National Defense, the committee members were high-ranking executives from Baldwin Locomotive Works, American Car & Foundry, Pullman, and other car builders. Because they had a head start, their finalized car designs were ready within three months of the government takeover. The five body types eventually produced in quantity were a 50-ton steel frame single-sheathed boxcar, a 40-ton steel frame double-sheathed boxcar, a 55-ton steel 2-bay hopper, a 50-ton composite drop-bottom gondola, and a 70-ton steel mill gondola.

The twin box car designs reflected the car committee’s indecision about which design was actually superior, as well as the perception that splitting production between the two types would speed wartime delivery. The use of wooden sides with steel underframe ends, side framing, and roofs reflected the common practices of the time when the steel car era was not yet in full swing. A wartime shortage of plate steel was also an important consideration.

Order directly from:

Patrick's Trains
142 29th Street
Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
(304) 232-0714
www.patstrains.com
patstrains@aol.com

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing several limited-edition Halloween releases beginning this Fall including an ES44 Diesel/Caboose Set, a Bump-n-Go Trolley, and several boxcars. The Halloween-themed items continue a trend M.T.H. began back in 2008 and these 2022 releases are a great way to add to your own spooky collection of past cars, sets, and buildings. Each of these offerings is expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in September 2022.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

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Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the RailKing O Gauge Union Pacific Big Boy Steam Locomotive in its restoration paint scheme with an oil tender as well as three coal burner models and auxiliary tenders in three select liveries in 2022. Each of these unique schemes will be available in limited production quantities and will begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in August 2022.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

These items are available to order from your local M.T.H. Authorized Retailer.