Fox Valley - 8014-3 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, FMC, 5347 - Helena Southwestern - 1010

Model Information: These Fox Valley models feature crisp print detail, sharp lettering, Micro-Train couplers and photo-etched walkways.

Prototype History: It was the mid 1970s, and the incentive per diem box car boom was just beginning. New, brightly painted box cars seemed to appear overnight. Many were lettered for various short lines. FMC (Food Machinery Corporation) was a significant builder of many of these cars. The 50’ outside post, non-terminating end box car, became the foundation for new per diem cars built in the 1970s. The 50’ FMC cars also varied in door configuration and style to better suit each customer. These cars can still be seen today at work (2017) on many ralroads.

The main difference between the 5077 cu. ft cars built by FMC vs the 5277-5347 cu. ft cars built by the same manufacturers is the overall height of the car, the smaller 5077 cars were Plate B while the larger 5277-5347 cars were Plate C.

Road Name History: The HSW was chartered in 1913 to build a 4 mile line in the Helena, Arkansas area to connect a sawmill of its parent company Chicago Mill & Lumber Company to connections with Missouri Pacific and Missouri & Northern Arkansas. In the diesel era, the line was powered with a single GE 44-tonner. Traffic, as you would expect, consisted of forest products. Chicago Mill & Lumber sold the railroad to American Box in 1984. They held it for just two years before selling it to P.E. Barnes & Sons (who make hardwood flooring and trim.) At that point, the HSW ceased to be a common carrier (it continued operating exclusively for the mill.)

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.