Rolling stock time periods

[Anonymous]

I have searched for weeks, but still can't locate any info to tell me what rolling stock was built and used when. I am planning a mid-to-late '70's layout, and I want to use some new (for the time period) and some older stock, but I don't know how to tell when a particular type of boxcar or tanker, for example, was built. I know I won't be using the Bethgon Coalporters, because the ads say they came out in the '80's. I am fairly new to this. Is there a freight car roster similar to those I have seen for locos? Is there a publication I should buy?
Thanks for any help!!
Tim

[nfmisso]

Tim;

Issues of Model Railroading (MRG) (not -er), Mainline Modeler (MM) and Railroad Model Journal (RJM) are good sources of the information you are looking for, I would suggest that you look for back issues at shows and on ebay.

The other thing to look for are "Official Equipment Registers" Westerfield has them on disk to January 1965 http://users.multipro.com/westerfield/.

This is probably exactly what you are looking for:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2246901538

And other that is somewhat close:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2247310976

[DSchmitt]

In the early 1970's most Box Cars would be 50' long steel. There would be some longer box cars including some 85'-89' cars for autoparts service. Before 1974 a few older box cars would still have roof walks, most older box cars would have had the walks removed but still have high mounted brake wheels, tall ladders and other evidence of the walks such as paint and weathering /rust patterns on the roof . Box Cars built during and after the late 60's would have no roofwalks, short ladders, and low mounted brake wheels.

85'/89' flat cars for trailer service were common, as were open sided Autoracks.

[Anonymous]

A lot of Athearn cars seem to have build dates (printed on the bodyside) of 1967 or thereabouts - these would be fine. This might be a quicker way to decide which cars to use - take a magnifying glass along to your LHS and look at the dates on the model bodysides!

[ndbprr]

It's a little more complicated than the sources offered as cars are still around painted for the PRR that merged in 1968 with the enemy (NYC). Joining an historical society can help you find out how many of certain cars were in service at what time. For example the Virginian that long ago merged into the N&W now NS had a fleet of alomost exclusively hopper cars. Suppose they had 500 of one type and 100 of another. You should plan to have five of the first one for every one of the second to keep things in perspective. freelancing? Then you can decide what your railroad had and how many based on what you like but if you connect with say the UP or CSX or NS or BNSF you are going to have to know their rosters so you can represent them in the right numbers also.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the help and advice. Unfortunately there isn't a good hobby shop near me that sells trains and supplies. Mostly R/C cars and planes. I have to rely on internet purchases. I am not worried so much about the actual cars used on a particular RR as to just what cars were on the tracks during the time period. I live near Detroit, and the Conrail yard always has a couple of Norfolk Southern locos, and freight cars from all over. Again, thanks for the sources. I will check into them.

[AntonioFP45]

You've gotten some great answers above!

My two cents, as I'm modeling late 1960s thru early 70s:

As a teen back then, I remember seeing LOTS of 50ft boxcars and reefers, especially Railbox and Pacific Fruit Express. Roofwalks on boxes and reefers were mostly gone by the late 70s. Also saw countless 54ft long Center Flow hoppers and Covered Hoppers.

Forty foot boxcars were rapidly declining in number. Here in Tampa, I didn't see anymore in "mainline" service after 1981.

Suggestion:

Since it's far for you, plan a "Get Away Day" where you can take a trip to a distant model railroad shop. Even if you're not buying, look at the cars in stock. The shop clerks usually don't mind customers opening the "Blue Box" Athearn and MDC cars and looking inside. The "Ready to Roll" boxes are usually "transparent" on the top side.

When you see the cars that you like, write down the model number located at the end of the box. You can then use these numbers when ordering on-line from home! [:)][:D][8)]

When there is a will there's a way! [:)]

Hope this helps, Amigo!

God Bless!