Fox Valley - 8000-SP1 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, FMC, 5347 - Hartford & Slocumb - 143617

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 H&S launched operations in 1954 to take over a Central of Georgia branch from Dothan (a fairly important railroad junction town) to Hartford, in southern Alabama. The route was about 22 miles long.

In 1975, Itel bought the line. Itel was a major player in the per diem boxcar boom so H&S boxcars became a common sight. The diesel fleet in the Itel years included a pair of RS-1’s and an NW2.

In 1992, the line from Taylor to Hartford was abandoned, leaving just 8 miles. At this point, Itel sold the H&S to the Gulf & Ohio shortline group, who changed the name from Hartford & Slocomb to “H&S Railroad.” A GP7 and SW1 took over the switching chores. The only customer is a large freight car maintenance facility (formerly GE Rail Car.) Itel also sold their entire freight car fleet to GE Rail Car and the “HS” reporting marks went with it. In 2015, GE sold this division to First Union Rail (with their tank car fleet going to Marmon Holdings.) So, when you see an HS car today, it belongs to First Union Rail and not the shortline.

In 2006, G&O sold the H&S to the Genesee & Wyoming shortline group. G&W merged the H&S with the Chattahoochee & Gulf to form the Chattahoochee Bay Railroad.

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.