Uncataloged Premier O Scale 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Boxcars Announced

March 16, 2026 - M.T.H. Electric Trains has announced an exclusive Premier O Scale 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Boxcar in colorful and unique Ball Glass livery for M.T.H. Authorized Retailer Berwyn's Toys & Trains of Berwyn, Illinois. Each boxcar will be offered in two different car numbers and available in very limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in October 2026.

Item No. 20-99328 Ball Glass 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Boxcar
Car No. 1026
Pre-Order Price: $79.99 (plus freight)
Click HERE to order.

Item No. 20-99329 Ball Glass 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Boxcar
Car No. 1028
Pre-Order Price: $79.99 (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:

Berwyn's Toys & Trains
7025 Ogden Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402
708.484.4384

www.berwynstoytrains.com
berwynstrains@gmail.com

M.T.H. Electric Trains will be releasing the 2026 Premier O Scale 40’ USRA Double Sheathed Box Car in SIX different schemes this Fall. Each of these offerings will be produced in two unique car numbers and is expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in October 2026.

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 2026 Premier O Scale Flat Car w/(2) PUP Trailers in SIX different schemes this Fall. Each of these offerings will be produced in two unique car numbers and is expected to begin shipping to M.T.H. Authorized Retailers in December 2026.

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

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

Check out each of these offerings HERE.

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