Fox Valley - 90334 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, M53 Wagontop - Virginian & Ohio - 4028

Model Information: Fox Valley introduced this model in January of 2013. It features : Body-mounted Micro-Trains couplers at correct height; Chemically blackened metal wheelsets in gauge; Weight: 1 ounce (correct per NMRA RP-20.1).

This car has some very nice separate detail parts - mainly the running board and brake wheel - but even the molded details are well-defined and correctly placed. The main components of the brake system are molded in the underframe. The detail level of the underframe in general is not as nice as many contemporary models but isn't awful either. The body-mounted couplers and Fox Valleys' renowned metal wheelsets are huge wins. The placement of the herald, large B&O lettering and other stencils matches photos of M-53 boxcars during that time frame. The minor detail discrepancies are not deal breakers. Overall the ready-to-run model provides an easy way to add this unique boxcar to an HO or N scale car fleet.

Prototype History: The Baltimore & Ohio's classic wagontop was a custom design the railroad manufactured itself during the height of the depression in the 1930s to not only reduce expenses but also increase the car's strength in the way it was manufactured (by using a "U"-shaped design). In an era when the major design elements of the 40' box car seem to have been well standardized, the Baltimore and Ohio employed an innovative design in which the roof and sides were constructed from single panels of cooper-bearing steel. The quality of this steel and the seamless roof design protected lading from roof leaks and made these cars battleships on the rails. Some of these cars remained on the rails up to the early eighties.

Road Name History: The Virginian and Ohio is both the name of a fictional railroad company created by W. Allen McClelland and the HO scale model railroad he built featuring this railroad.

The Virginia & Ohio, the Allegheny Midland and the Virginia Midland later 'merged' to form the Appalachian Lines, a fictional railroad company where each of the individual railroad would keep its own visual identity.

Brand/Importer Information: Fox Valley Models is a small supplier of model railroad and related products. FVM started by finding solutions to different challenges that model railroaders were faced with. Our first products resulted from a need to equip custom built passenger cars with tinted windows made of an ideal material; thin, flexible, easy to cut, simple to install, available in multiple colors and be affordable. We met those needs and even included a frosted version for the car's lavatory windows.

Other challenges inspired additional products including wooden grade crossings, trestles and different lineside structures. As our product line expands, input and requests from friends and customers help shape the product selection further.

Future products, under development, include more parts, structures, details and rolling stock. We strive to offer a good quality product at an affordable price.