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Atlas - 50 003 872 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, Steel - Ferrocarril Del Pacifico - 16550

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N Scale - Atlas - 50 003 872 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, Steel - Ferrocarril Del Pacifico - 16550 Image Courtesy of Atlas Model Railroad
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Stock Number50 003 872
Original Retail Price$24.95
BrandAtlas
ManufacturerAtlas
Body StyleAtlas Boxcar 50 Foot Single Door
Image Provider's WebsiteLink
Prototype VehicleBoxcar, 50 Foot, Steel (Details)
Road or Company NameFerrocarril Del Pacifico (Details)
Reporting MarksFCP
Road or Reporting Number16550
Paint Color(s)Green with Red Roofwalk
Print Color(s)Yellow
Coupler TypeAccuMate Magnetic Knuckle
Coupler MountTruck-Mount
Wheel TypeInjection Molded Plastic
Wheel ProfileSmall Flange (Low Profile)
Release Date2018-10-01
Item CategoryRolling Stock (Freight)
Model TypeBoxcar
Model Subtype50 Foot
Model VarietySingle Door
Prototype RegionNorth America
Prototype EraNA Era III: Transition (1939 - 1957)
Scale1/160
Track GaugeN standard



Model Information: Atlas first announced this model in December of 2007 and delivered it in June of 2008. This model seemed to have been specifically developed as a budget model. It was introduced as part of the Trainman line from day 1. Most other Trainman models are older toolings that were 'downgraded' to Trainman due to age. Typically Trainman models have less detail and are thus easier to manufacture. When compared with other models being rolled out during that time, this this tooling was definitely a 2nd-class boxcar. We presume that it was specifically designed to be manufactured at a much lower price point than other cars such as the redesigned PS-1 boxcar also from Atlas which came out around the same time.
Prototype History:
While the 40-foot boxcar was a standard design, and it did come in different setups depending on the type of freight being transported, it was not large enough for efficient mass commodity transportation. The 50-foot boxcar made its first appearance in the 1930s and steadily grew in popularity over the years, which further improved redundancies by allowing for even more space within a given car. Today, the 50-footer remains the common boxcar size. After the second world war ended, and steel became once again readily available, steel became the go-to choice for construction of boxcars. Pullman Standard and ACF were some of the most prolific builders of these cars.

These cars came in many variations. For instance, double-doors became practical for large/wide loads, end-doors useful for very large lading such as automobiles, and interior tie-down equipment was helpful in keeping sensitive products from being damaged in-transit. In 1954 the Santa Fe developed its "Shock Control" (and later "Super Shock Control") technology for new boxcars with upgraded suspension systems to further improve the ride-quality and reduce the chance of damaging freight.

In the 1960s, the flush, "plug" style sliding door was introduced as an option that provides a larger door to ease loading and unloading of certain commodities. The tight-fitting doors are better insulated and allow a car's interior to be maintained at a more even temperature.
Road Name History:
FCP was formed in 1951 when Southern Pacific, fearing the changing political climate in Mexico would lead to the nationalization of their Southern Pacific of Mexico subsidiary, sold the line to the Mexican government. FCP ran from the Arizona border at Nogales south, not far from the coast to a connection with NdeM in the Guadalajara area. The line became known for moving produce on fast TOFC trains to American markets. They ran a popular passenger train from Nogales to Mexico City jointly with NdeM. In 1987, the government owned railroads of Mexico were combined and reorganized into a larger National Railways of Mexico (FNM.)
Brand/Importer Information:
In 1924 Stephan Schaffan, Sr. founded the Atlas Tool Company in Newark, New Jersey. In 1933 his son, Stephan Schaffan, Jr., came to work for his father at the age of sixteen. Steve Jr. built model airplanes as a hobby and frequented a local hobby shop. Being an enterprising young man, he would often ask the owner if there was anything he could do to earn some extra spending money. Tired of listening to his requests, the hobby-store owner threw some model railroad track parts his way and said, "Here, see if you can improve on this".

In those days, railroad modelers had to assemble and build everything from scratch. Steve Jr. created a "switch kit" which sold so well, that the entire family worked on them in the basement at night, while doing business as usual in the machine shop during the day.

Subsequently, Steve Jr. engineered the stapling of rail to fiber track, along with inventing the first practical rail joiner and pre-assembled turnouts and flexible track. All of these products, and more, helped to popularize model railroading and assisted in the creation of a mass-market hobby. The budding entrepreneur quickly outgrew the limitations of a basement and small garage operation. Realizing they could actually make a living selling track and related products, Steve and his father had the first factory built in Hillside, New Jersey at 413 Florence Avenue in 1947. On September 30, 1949, the Atlas Tool Company was officially incorporated as a New Jersey company.

In 1985, Steve was honored posthumously for his inventions by the Model Railroad Industry Association and was inducted into the Model Railroad Industry Hall of Fame in Baltimore, Maryland. In addition, Steve was nominated and entered into the National Model Railroad Association Pioneers of Model Railroading in 1995.

In the early 1990s, the Atlas Tool Company changed its name to Atlas Model Railroad Company, Inc.
Item created by: gdm on 2018-10-28 18:58:29

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