Loco-Motives - LM-111a - Boxcar, 40 Foot, PS-1 - Maryland Midland - 8002

Model Information: This tooling was introduced by Atlas in 1976. It replaced the earlier (and very similar) model from Roco of Austria that had been imported by Atlas from 1967 until 1975. Initial production was at the New Jersey factory. Production was later moved to China. As of 2017, this model is now very long in the tooth, so recent releases have been classified as 'Trainman' (budget) product line. Newer versions come equipped with Accumate couplers. This model should not be confused with the much newer 'Master' PS-1 boxcar from Atlas which is a completely different tooling.

Similar to other Atlas models of the 1970s and 1980s, this tooling originally featured Rapido Couplers and deep-flange nickel-silver plated wheels. When production moved to China, they started appearing with plastic low-profile wheels and Accumate couplers.

Sometime after 2005, Atlas created a 'Master' version of this model, and downgraded this tooling to the "Trainman" line. The new tooling was a complete redo of the model and has body mounted couplers, metallic wheels and excellent detailing, especially of the underframe. Since these are also marketed as 'PS-1' boxcars, it can be confusing. That tooling, however is different enough that we associate those cars with a different body style.

Prototype History: The 40' Boxcar is widely known as one of the most popular freight cars used by railroads as they transitioned from steam to diesel. In particular the Pullman Standard or PS-1 design was one of the most popular and was widely used by North American railroads. These boxcars were built beginning in 1947 and share the same basic design, with certain elements such as door size, door style or roof type varying among the different railroads and production years. When production of these cars ceased in 1963, over 100,000 had been produced.

So just what is a PS-1? Well the simple answer is it is any boxcar built by Pullman Standard from 1947 on. The design changed over the years – sometimes subtly, sometimes for customer request, and sometimes in a larger way. In general, most PS-1’s built from 1947 to 1961 share the same dimensions and basic construction techniques. These cars all had a length of 40′, a height of 10’5″ or 10’6″, welded sides and ends and roof of Pullman’s own design. The greatest variation was in the size and style of doors used. Pullman Standard also offered 50′ and later 60′ boxcars – also with the PS-1 designation.

Road Name History: Maryland Midland launched in 1980 when they took over operation of a former Pennsylvania Railroad line from Taneytown 17 miles to Walkerville, Maryland that had been operated for the previous two years by the Maryland & Pennsylvania. In 1983, they bought a section of Western Maryland mainline between High Field and Emory Grove, 50 miles away, (WM trains had moved to the parallel Baltimore & Ohio line.)

Another company sponsored regular passenger excursion and dinner trains behind MMID F units. The Maryland Midland was owned by local interests but in 2007, Genesee & Wyoming purchased 87% of the company with Lehigh Cement (MMID’s largest shipper) holding the rest. Traffic includes aggregates, brick, cement, chemicals and forest products.

Perhaps due to the split in ownership, the MMID diesel fleet held on to their unique blue and orange paint scheme until January of 2014 when the G&W standard orange, black and yellow paint scheme began to take over.

Brand/Importer Information: Loco-Motives was a division of Mallerich Hobby Corp. The company provided custom printing services for railroad modeling. Mallerich Hobby Corporation was incorporated on Friday 31st January 1992 in Taneytown Maryland. They are no longer in business. They repainted other companies models.