American Flyer box car number

[irontooth]

I recently came across a AF #994 Union Pacific stock car with a box. When I looked at the end of the box it was stamped 24028 box car. I can not find this number in any of my reference materials.  I know the numbers do not match . Anyone know what box car went with this box?

Thanks  Irontooth

[TrainLarry]

This auction has a M&St.L boxcar for that number. Here is a 982 in a 24028 box, and here is a 983 in the same numbered box.

Larry

[stebbycentral]

That is an interesting question, as that does not appear to be a catalogued number.  24026 is the Central of Georgia boxcar, and the next number in sequence is the 24029 BAR "State of Maine" car.  Someone mentioned the M&ST.L boxcar, but the number on that car is 24048.  The proper 5-digit number for a UP stock car is 24076.  I know because I have both of the latter in my collection.

Perhaps the box you have is a factory misprint.  Or a counterfeit? 

 

[TrainLarry]

If you click on the picture of the 982 car, you can clearly see the box is numbered 24028. It is also listed as the O/B.

The Read auction, item 377, lists a "24028 M&St.L boxcar" in a "worn OB".

One 983 Missouri Pacific boxcar is listed in a "24028 TOB".

Apparently there are legitimate boxes numbered 24028 out there, and at least two references to different  boxcars being in the same numbered box.

Larry

[stebbycentral]

TrainLarry

If you click on the picture of the 982 car, you can clearly see the box is numbered 24028. It is also listed as the O/B.

The Read auction, item 377, lists a "24028 M&St.L boxcar" in a "worn OB".

One 983 Missouri Pacific boxcar is listed in a "24028 TOB".

Apparently there are legitimate boxes numbered 24028 out there, and at least two references to different  boxcars being in the same numbered box.

Larry

 

OK, new theory.  I have read in various sources that in the year that Flyer switched to the new 5 digit numbering system, there were items in inventory from the prior production run that were still imprinted with the old 3 digit codes.  And that rather than go to the trouble and expense of repainting the cars, Flyer simply shipped them in boxes with the new catalog numbers.  Perhaps the 24028 number was created specifically to track items shipped from the old production run.  And after all the old 3 digit cars were used up, the number was retired.  That would explain why all these different 3 digit cars wind up in this same numbered box.  Just a guess.

[irontooth]

I looked at the box again. It is a red and white box,looks original to me and I was told that the box did come with the UP stock car, some fun>

Irontooth

[AF53]

All my sources show that the 982 was switched over to 24029 in 1957. The reason for the conversion to 5 digit number was that American Flyer started to catalog their inventory into a computer system and it required a 5 digit number.

I see no mention of a 24028 anywhere. Could we have a misprinted box here?