Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
For US railroads the 1930's were a lean time. The Great Depression was the overriding economic reality. Most railroads ran the wheels off the 'war emergency' freight cars built to WWI USRA standardized designs. If you look for rollingstock which mentions those designs or as modifications of those designs you will likely be within bounds. In cars built in your period there was increasing use made of steel to replace wood. You could also use such boxcars as those built to the Pennsy X29 and subsequent classes. Rollingstock in the period was extensively rebuilt and upgraded rather than scrapped. Individual cars often more than once. I'd suggest you go to the library and and look up a history of the American Car and Foundry Company who were the largest US maker of freight cars. Also for motive power look for histories of Baldwin, Lima and Alco. You could also borrow or buy CD copies of the Freight Car Cyclopedia which has a ton of information and illustrations. The limited run manufacturers of freight car kits, Westerfield or Sunshine for example, supply extensive information with their kits and on their websites which will be of use to you. To answer your specific question: 40 foot as well as larger classes of freight cars were in common and mixed usage in the 1930s. The exact mix you settle on will depend on which railroad you model and what its individual rollingstock needs and financial condition was. Don't be surprised if you find some anachronisms, I recently saw an example of a 4-4-0 offered from the manufacturer with streamlining! Stupidly I didn't make a note of the manufacturer but you can be sure I'll follow-up on it sooner rather than later. Good luck and have fun researching. Randy
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community