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Micro-Trains - NSC 83-01 - Boxcar, 40 Foot, Steel Plug Door - NTRAK - 1983

One of these are for sale right now on marketplaces, with a low price of: $12.00$12.00 (1)One of these are for sale right now on marketplaces, with a low price of: $12.00
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One  of these sold for an average price of: 7.007.00One of these sold for an average price of: 7.00
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Collectors value this item at an average of 20.0020.00Collectors value this item at an average of 20.00
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N Scale - Micro-Trains - NSC 83-01 - Boxcar, 40 Foot, Steel Plug Door - NTRAK - 1983 Copyright Held by TroveStar
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Commissioned ByJim Fitzgerald
Production TypeSpecial Run
Stock NumberNSC 83-01
Original Retail Price$8.00
BrandMicro-Trains
ManufacturerMicro-Trains Line
Body StyleMicro-Trains 074 Boxcar 40 Foot Steel Plug Door No Roofwalk
Prototype VehicleBoxcar, 40 Foot, Steel Plug Door (Details)
Road or Company NameNTRAK (Details)
Reporting MarksNTK
Road or Reporting Number1983
Paint Color(s)Black with Yellow Stripes
Print Color(s)Yellow
Additional Markings/Slogan10th Anniversary Build the Modular Way
Coupler TypeMT Magne-Matic Knuckle
Coupler MountTruck-Mount
Wheel TypeInjection Molded Plastic
Wheel ProfileStandard
Series NameNTRAK
Series Release/Issue Number3
Ready-to-RunNo
Release Date1983-01-01
Item CategoryRolling Stock (Freight)
Model TypeBoxcar
Model Subtype34 Foot
Model VarietySteel Plug Door No Roofwalk
Prototype RegionNorth America
Prototype EraNA Era III: Transition (1939 - 1957)
Scale1/160



Specific Item Information: Only 500 made.
Model Information: Model: Introduction: July 1996. This body style (074) has no roof walk and short ladders.

Unlike the traditional "sliding" door, the plug door system closes with a final inward movement (similar to most van sliding doors) that seals the door flush with the interior of the boxcar. This provides a much better seal than the sliding door boxcar. A rotating lever on the door activates a gear system to "plug" and "unplug" the door.
Prototype History:
Plug-Door boxcars are usually insulated and typically carry products such as canned goods that require protection from extremes of temperature but do not require refrigeration. Plug-style doors were normally used to ensure a tight seal in the insulation. Designed for transport of both perishables and large loads, plug doors allowed box cars to be sealed from outside dust and dirt. Cars like these were manufactured during the 50s and 60s.

Whether you consider this a reefer or a boxcar is a matter for angel-pinhead-counters. There seems to be a bit of a blurry line during the transition era between the idea of a steel ice reefer and an insulated boxcar. I guess an ice reefer was meant to hold ice for cooling but I doubt this is a cut-and-dry distinction. Modern "mechanical" reefers are a different breed as they contain a refrigeration unit which quite distinctly sets them apart from "boxcars".
Road Name History:
The NTRAK organization was founded in 1973. Its mission is to provide a set of specifications for N Scale modular layouts.

NTRAK modules are designed to bring model railroading to the public at conventions, exhibits, and shopping malls. In the past a person wanting to see model trains in operation had to seek out a club or home layout that was open to the public. These layouts were often designed for the convenience of the owners and operators, and not for public viewing. The modular layouts have the flexibility to be fitted into many different size and shape areas. They offer close up viewing and maximum train action. Long trains passing each other are always attention getters and are a feature of the NTRAK layouts. While designed for large public display layouts, the NTRAK modules are being used for home layouts and for club layouts as well. For the modeler, the NTRAK modules offer a number of advantages over a fixed layout. We are such a mobile society and the modules make it very easy to move a layout from one home to the next without destroying all the work that went into it. Our smaller homes, apartments, and mobile homes all lend themselves to N scale layouts. Persons who want to run longer trains have the opportunity to take a module to one of the many NTRAK meets during the year and to be part of a large layout. There they can run their longer trains and meet other N scale modelers.
Brand/Importer Information: Micro-Trains is the brand name used by both Kadee Quality Products and Micro-Trains Line. For a history of the relationship between the brand and the two companies, please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide.
Manufacturer Information:
Micro-Trains Line split off from Kadee Quality Products in 1990. Kadee Quality Products originally got involved in N-Scale by producing a scaled-down version of their successful HO Magne-Matic knuckle coupler system. This coupler was superior to the ubiquitous 'Rapido' style coupler due to two primary factors: superior realistic appearance and the ability to automatically uncouple when stopped over a magnet embedded in a section of track. The success of these couplers in N-Scale quickly translated to the production of trucks, wheels and in 1972 a release of ready-to-run box cars.

Micro-Trains Line Co. split off from Kadee in 1990 to form a completely independent company. For this reason, products from this company can appear with labels from both enterprises. Due to the nature of production idiosyncrasies and various random factors, the rolling stock from Micro-Trains can have all sorts of interesting variations in both their packaging as well as the products themselves. When acquiring an MTL product it is very important to understand these important production variations that can greatly enhance (or decrease) the value of your purchase.

Please consult our Micro-Trains Collector's Guide
User jbeezz28 comment: JAN 2021 NSC ''garage sale'', listed at $9.00

Item created by: gdm on 2017-03-08 13:46:41. Last edited by Alain LM on 2021-06-06 10:49:07

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