Micro-Trains - 181 54 340 - Boxcar, 50 Foot, PS-1 - Department of Defense - 9932

Specific Item Information: Within the Nevada Test and Training Range exists a remote, Top Secret facility just south of Groom Lake, officially called Homey Field…though it is known to most people as Area 51. The secrecy and misinformation surrounding Area 51 has lead to intense folklore of the base’s role in unidentified flying object (UFO) research, going back decades. Of course, these are just conspiracy theories, right? As you catch a glimpse of a camouflaged train in the desert valley below, you wonder “just what are they transporting hidden under the tarp on that flat car?” As you look through the binoculars, the heat shimmer makes it hard to see…but you’re able to make something out about “non-human biologics” on the side of the boxcar! You be the judge.

Model Information: Micro-Trains first introduced this body style in July of 2017. It models a series of boxcars built by Pullman-Standard in the 1950s that feature 10 plug doors, short ladders and no roofwalk.

Prototype History: 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.

The original PS-1 measured 40 foot in length, but Pullman Standard also offered 50′ and later 60′ boxcars – also with the PS-1 designation.

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