Class One Model Works FC00444 HO Scale Thrall 86' 8 Door Boxcar Norfolk Southern NS 864022

Between 1963 (when Thrall constructed the first two prototype cars) through 1978 (when Greenville supplied the last 86-foot, 6-inch hi-cube auto parts cars), the fleet of these freight cars swelled to 11,073. Of the commercial car builders, Thrall Car Manufacturing assembled 3,544 cars, placing them in the middle of the pack (production number-wise) between Greenville and Pullman-Standard. Thrall supplied cars from 1964 through 1973.

The day of the massive 86-foot auto parts box cars has come and, likely, gone. For many years, auto parts shipping were essential contributors to numerous railroads' bottom line, resulting in many high-profile manifest trains. These shipments generated significant revenue for the railroads and were indispensable to the auto industry from the early 1960s to circa 2000. Many of these cars (of all types) are still in service moving auto parts from plant to plant.

A distinctive example of high-cube freight equipment from the modern era, this 86-foot, eight-door boxcar reflects the specialized design developed by Thrall for high-volume, lightweight commodities such as auto parts and appliance components. 

NOTE: Road number may vary from picture shown.