Fox Valley - 8942 - Gondola, Bathtub, Southern Silverside - Merry Christmas - 122517

Model Information: Fox Valley first announced this car in May of 2014 when they showed samples. The first release of Southern cars was available in June of 2015. A second release of new road numbers for Southern as well as Norfolk Southern was announced in June of 2016 and delivered in March of 2017. The NS models feature a complex 'layered' paint finish based on prototype photos taken by the company back in 1991 in Dalton Georgia.

Features: Includes separate brake wheel when etched metal brake platforms; Underbody detail and optional interior bracing; Optional side bracing to detail specific cars; Cars are weighted to run long empty trains; Free rolling metal wheelsets.

Prototype History: One of Southern's achievements was the "Silverside" equipment used on the unit trains for the coal transloading operation. The name comes from the aluminum body that holds more than 100 tons of payload. It was the first freight car of its kind when designed by Southern in 1959. The manner in which Southern first put "Silversides" to work, in January of 1960, was new at the time. The cars operated in round-trip operation between a high-production coal mine and a power plant in Alabama. This operation was the first application of the unit train concept in America.

Road Name History: Well, it is not really a company, but there are a ton of model railroad cars which sport Christmas as the Railroad.

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed most commonly on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. A feast central to the Christian liturgical year, it is prepared for by the season of Advent or the Nativity Fast and initiates the season of Christmastide, which historically in the West lasts twelve days and culminates on Twelfth Night; in some traditions, Christmastide includes an Octave. The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in the New Testament says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, in accordance with messianic prophecies; when Joseph and Mary arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered a stable where the Christ Child was soon born, with angels proclaiming this news to shepherds who then disseminated the message furthermore. Christmas Day is a public holiday in many of the world's nations, is celebrated religiously by the vast majority of Christians, as well as culturally by a number of non-Christian people, and is an integral part of the holiday season, while some Christian groups reject the celebration. In several countries, celebrating Christmas Eve on December 24 has the main focus rather than December 25, with gift-giving and sharing a traditional meal with the 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.