Current HO Scale Car Projects
New Car Project
Virginian & Ohio 50’ Steel Plug-door Boxcar
After years of restrictions on new car construction during
WWII, the Virginian and Ohio (V&O) recognized in the
early 1950’s the need for new, larger capacity boxcars to
supplement their aging fleet of 40’ boxcars. In October,
1955, the V&O purchased 39 steel 50’ boxcars, equipped
with 8 feet wide plug doors. In June, 1957 they ordered
another 31 cars. These cars were built to the 1937 AAR
steel boxcar design, as modified in 1948, and were built
by American Car & Foundry. The cars were painted blue,
and had the classic ‘The Ridge Runner’ slogan emblazoned
on their sides. Cars were numbered in V&O series 3700-
3769, were equipped with Evans DF loaders, and had a
nominal capacity of 50 tons. Many of these cars were
interchanged with Eastern railroads in the Appalachian
region and Midwestern states. The last car was retired in
1982, although several cars continued to be used as MOW
tool and supply cars for several years after that date.
This car project uses Accurail’s 5100 series steel, riveted
AAR boxcar with 8 feet wide Camel plug doors, painted
V&O blue with white graphics, including the Ridge Runner
slogan. This kit is provided with Accumate couplers and
AAR Bettendorf-style trucks.
V&O boxcar graphics were approved by W. Allen McClelland,
MMR. Allen authorized these cars for sale by Division 7,
Mid-Central Region, National Model Railroad Association.
Four car numbers are available: 3702, 3733, 3745 & 3767
Prices: $17.00 per car kit, with a four-car set for $64.00
Shipping and handling (Priority Mail): $5.50 for one car,
$8.00 for two to four cars. Contact us for foreign orders.
Ohio Residents must include 6.5% state sales tax on the
total price, including shipping charge
Order from:
Division 7, MCR, NMRA
P.O. Box 62501
Cincinnati OH 45241
Contact the Car Projects Chairman with any questions.
Allegheny Midland Hopper
AAR 70-ton, offset-side, 3-bay hopper cars
several 4-car sets and single cars available as of 7/10/2011
The Allegheny Midland, or Midland Road, was Tony Koester’s excellent coal-hauling model railroad before he decided to model the NYC&StL, or Nickel Plate Road. These AAR 70-ton, offset-side triple hopper cars are from a series of 500 cars numbered 39500-39999, and were built for the AM in early 1948, when the NKP bought a similar series of hopper cars. They lasted into the 1970s on the AM, and a few may still be seen in operation on various model railroads today.
This car project utilizes Accurail’s 7500-series hopper car, painted black with white lettering. The kit includes Accurail’s AAR cast-steel trucks, an Equipco brake wheel, and Accurail couplers. It also features brake system components with piping and levers, slope-sheet end braces, fine stirrup steps, interior details, and hidden weights.
Four car numbers are available: 39587, 39624, 39639 and 39763
Contact the Car Projects Chairman with any questions.
Prices: $16.00 per car, with a four-car set for $60.00
Shipping (USPS Priority Mail): $5.50 for one car, $8.00 for two to four cars
Ohio Residents must include 6.5% state sales tax on the total price, including shipping charge
Order from:
Division 7, MCR, NMRA
P.O. Box 62501
Cincinnati OH 45241
Virginian & Ohio Hopper
70-ton AAR Offset-side Triple Hopper Car
Sold Out
By the end of WWII, the Virginian & Ohio (V&O) experienced a critical shortage of hopper car capacity. Steel finally became available for freight car production. Accordingly, the V&O ordered 100 steel, 70-ton, offset-side triple hopper cars. These cars were built to the AAR 70-ton steel hopper car design, and were manufactured by the Pullman Standard Car Company at their Michigan City, Indiana facility. The V&O accepted delivery of these cars in November and December of 1947 and January of 1948. Cars were numbered in series 1800-1899.
These hopper cars were interchanged with other railroads in the Appalachian region and Midwestern states, such as the Allegheny Midland and Virginia Midland, as lake coal was moved to markets. Many of these cars were repaired or rebuilt, with some cars remaining in revenue service through the mid-1970’s.
This car project utilizes Accurail’s 7500 series all-steel AAR 70-ton triple hopper car, painted black with white V&O graphics. The kit includes Accurail’s AAR Cast Steel trucks, Accumate couplers and an Equipco brake wheel.
V&O hopper car graphics were approved by W. Allen McClelland, MMR. Allen authorized these cars for sale by Cincinnati’s Division 7, Mid-Central Region, NMRA.
V & O Box Car
Sold Out
The Virginian & Ohio (V&O) accepted delivery of 130 steel box cars, equipped with 6 feet wide Youngstown doors, in September, 1938. These cars were built to the 1937 update of the 1932 AAR steel box car design, and were built by the Pullman Standard Car Co. After WWII, the V&O was short of equipment, and subsequently rebuilt 49 of these all-steel cars in their West Carrolton, Ohio shops during 1947. These were the first V&O cars to be painted blue, and the first to have ‘The Ridge Runner’ slogan emblazoned on their sides. The rebuilt cars were renumbered as V&O series 3900-3948, and were specified to be used only for “clean lading.” Many of these cars were interchanged with other Eastern railroads in the Appalachian region and Midwestern states. The last car was retired in 1972, although several cars continued to be used as MOW tool and supply cars after that date.
This car project uses Accurail’s 3500 series all-steel AAR box car with 6 feet wide Youngstown doors, painted V&O blue with white graphics, including ‘The Ridge Runner’ slogan. The kit is provided with Accurail’s couplers and AAR Bettendorf-style trucks.
The V&O box car graphics were designed by W. Allen McClelland, MMR, and are authorized for sale by Cincinnati’s Division 7, Mid-Central Region, NMRA.
