Fox Valley - 8000-SP3 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, FMC, 5347 - East Erie Commercial - 5837

Specific Item Information: This was a special run car, not in the regular FVM line.

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 East Erie Commercial Railroad is a single-track, standard-gage, electrically operated railway, located within the State of Pennsylvania. The main line extends northeasterly from Erie to near Harborcreek, including a line entirely around the plant of the General Electric Company. The main line mileage aggregates 6.726 miles. The carrier also owns and uses 3.632 miles of yard tracks and sidings, making a total of 10.358 miles of all tracks. The carrier grants trackage rights to the General Electric Company over a portion of its railroad.

The EEC was incorporated October 17, 1907, under general laws of Pennsylvania, for the purpose of constructing, maintaining, and operating a railroad for public use, principally to serve the General Electric Company. The date of organization was October 19, 1907. A supplemental charter dated January 25, 1910, was granted under the same general laws of Pennsylvania.

That portion of the main line of the EEC known as the "Loop" was constructed for it by the General Electric Company in connection with the building of its plant. Work was begun on October 22, 1907, but the records do not indicate date of completion. Commercial operation was begun in 1911. Construction of the Eastern Division, extending from Franklin Road to Harborcreek Township, about 4 miles, was begun about July 1, 1915. Contracts were made with the General Electric Company for the electric work at cost plus overhead and for the excavation and grading on force account basis, the balance of the work being done by carrier's own forces.

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.