Fox Valley - 8112-4 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, PS 5344 - Sandersville - 13012

Prototype History: The P-S 5344 Boxcar is last of the successful boxcar projects of the Pullman-Standard company. With production beginning in 1977, Pullman-Standard produced nearly 7,000 P-S 5344 Boxcars. In 1981, Pullman moved to sell all railroad assets in an economy of declining freight car sales. However, these cars ply the rails in legacy of America's great car builder. The last of a breed.

Road Name History: Sandersville began in 1893 as a four mile line running from Sandersville, Georgia to a connection with the Central of Georgia at Tennile. CoG was the principle backer of the line. In 1957, Sandersville was extended 5 miles north to service a large kaolin producing facility. Kaolin has since become the line’s principle commodity although they also haul lumber and plastics.

Kaolin is a form of clay mined in large quantities in Georgia. It is the principle ingredient in porcelain. Most is used to make paper smoother (magazine stock – lots of kaolin, paper towel – not so much.) The white frost of incandescent light bulbs is Kaolin. It also appears in cosmetics, toothpaste and is the active ingredient in Kaopectate! It is shipped in powder form in covered hoppers and as a slurry in tank cars.

For power, Sandersville uses 5 EMD switchers and a slug. All units are MU equipped as the four daily trains tend to be quite long and heavy for a 9 mile shortline. The engines are painted off-white (the color of kaolin.) The line has been owned for most of its history by the Tarbutton family.

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.