car from Branchline which based the model on a group of 550
welded prototypes built by American Car & Foundry in 1947.
Five hundred were delivered to Railway Express Agency with
the remaining 50 going to Atlantic Coast Line. Collapsible ice
bunkers allowed the cars to handle both refrigerated loads and
dry LTL parcels.
The Atlas’ HO scale version adheres to the prototype with an
arched roof, 3/3 Improved Dreadnaught ends, and high-speed
four-wheel passenger-type trucks. Additional features include a
detailed underframe; separate uncoupling levers; steam, air,
and signal hoses; metal wheelsets, and AccuMate® knuckle
couplers. Three numbers each will be available for six schemes
including REA - 1947 (as delivered with silver body, bold green
stripes with red edging, and green ends, above), and REA -
early 1950s (repaint with dark green body and gold lettering).
Also REA –
mid 1950s
(repaint
with dark
green body,
gold lettering, and red and white herald, above), and REA - 1960s
(light green body, white italic lettering, red and white herald).
Atlantic
Coast Line
schemes
include ACL
- 1947 (as
delivered with purple and silver sides, gold stripes, black roof
and ends, above), ACL – 1960s (repaint with green body and
aluminum roof, silver lettering). The ready-to-run model has an
MSRP of $35.95. An undecorated version will list at $29.95.
News column - 5
MRH-Mar 2013
