M&StL Modeling by
Clark Propst

Joe Binish wrote me a few days ago to ask how to build an MStL double sheath USRA type box car. I'm far from an expert on the prototype cars, that's Gene's job! I try to model a car (HO scale) as close as possible from photos. I will say the car Joe asked about is the toughest one of the DS cars to do.

The cars Joe asked about are 29000 series. This are not USRA car, but the ORER says the dimensions are very close. The differences I can see is the door straps and the ends. I used an Ertl car, but the new Accurail car will work to. The door strap on the USRA door needs to be removed and replaced with two, simple.

The ends are weird, hence the cars appeal. They are 7/7 reversed murphy ends, they are not available commercially. I made them from Westerfield 3/3/3 reversed ends, by cutting them up and rearranging them. I ended up with a 9/7 arrangement so I had to fill in the top to indents, this makes the proper flat spot at the top of the end.

There are other DS cars that are easier to build. I'm working on a 52000 car now. If any one is interested I can give a brief "how to" on the other USRA cars. When the sun gets farther north I'll photograph these cars and see if Cash will add them to this web site. Clark 2/26/2001

The 52000 series USRA DS box cars were like the 29000 series cars, purchased second hand and rebuilt at Marshalltown in 1939 or 40. Either the MStL had great insight or good timing because they rebuilt these cars (and others) just before WWII. So they had a good fleet of rolling stock to get them through the war years. These cars were then replaced by steel cars.

A good model car be made by simply replacing the ends with Details West 4/4 steel dreadnought ends. I used a Ertl car, the ends are a bit wide so I filed them to fit, that's it!

My next MStL project will be a URTX wood side reefer. Parts list for this one; TYCO wood sides, Red Caboose or Intermountain murphy roof, Details West steel ice hatches and 4/4 steel ends, I'll probably use an Accurail underframe with Intermountain brake gear. 2/28/2001

A little history about the 29002-29350 series box cars. From Gene Green

These were 150 used cars purchased by the M&StL from Hyman-Michaels in 1939. Under terms of lease/purchase agreement M&StL was to rebuild cars at Marshalltown and H-M was to reimburse M&StL $400 per car. Cars were to cost M&StL $1,151.50 each and lease payments of 70 cents per day for 1645 days were to be applied to purchase. Cars became M&StL owned in November 1943.

These cars had an unusual inside height of 8'-8" which was found only on the NYC system (incl LE&W & MC) and NKP, all of which were originally door & 1/2 automobile cars. Most were eventually rebuilt as single door cars after larger automobile cars were required.

The numbers of the first 20 cars delivered to M&StL in July 1939 were all from NKP 18000-18799 series so I assume all came from that series. These were probably still in door & 1/2 configuration and part of M&StL rebuilding was to change to single door. (As NKP rebuilt 18000-18799 to single door they were renumbered into NKP's 11000-11299 series.)

M&StL rebuilt cars to a "condition suitable to accommodate flour, cement or sugar loading." No indication if they were intended for any specific traffic or just general use. No record so far of any being converted to MOW use.

M&StL box car 29000, a separate single car purchase, was previously NKP 86680. NKP series 86500-86749 is former LE&W;15000-15249. LE&W was under control of NYC when cars were built and passed to control of NKP later. LE&W 15000-15249 were also door & 1/2 auto box cars of same design as NKP cars. Details may have varied.

M&StL box car 29352 was also purchased separately. A note in the AFE file says the AFE is being prepared but the paperwork is not in the file. The DSS&A also bought some used cars of this same design and one, rebuilt to single door, is preserved at North Freedom, Wis. There's your M&StL car, just painted wrong. This car, probably both door & 1/2 and single door versions, is coming in brass in O scale. 3/1/2001