1920s Era Freight Car Model Guide

After a few months of discussions with several model railroad friends, I began developing a list of available plastic HO scale freight car models that are suitable for use on a model railroad set in the 1920s. I had several of the models on hand and took pictures to illustrate this freight car guide. I’ve posted the info as a separate page of this blog, so the link will always be in the list at the top of the column to the right.

While all of these models represent prototype freight car designs in-use or introduced in the 1920s, not all of these can be used for the full decade. I am focused on November 1926, which limits my use of a freight car prototype introduced in 1927 or later. I’ve also noticed that some freight car hardware was introduced just after my modeling period. Prototypes equipped with Dreadnaught steel ends or Youngstown corrugated steel doors are often crossed off of my wish list. Some may say I am too picky, but I actually enjoy fine-tuning my purchasing so the freight car fleet “looks right” to my eye.

Again, the link is to the right, or just click here and review a guide to 1920s era HO scale plastic freight cars. Drop a note below if you are so moved. Please follow the directions of the anti-spam program when you leave your comment. All comments are reviewed and approved before they appear here.

2 thoughts on “1920s Era Freight Car Model Guide”

  1. Eric,

    The list you’ve provided is very helpful for me, even if I’m modeling almost 3 decades later than you are. It is a resource to compare my 1953 ORER against in hopes of finding a few “old” cars still haunting the rails.

    Tim

  2. Hey Tim! I’m glad this guide is useful for your later era. The K brake system ban of 1953 pushed many older freight cars to retirement, scrap, or maintenance use. The texture of the overall freight car fleet changed as steel sheathed box cars dominated the scenes and wood single and double sheathed cars faded into memory.
    – Eric

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.