Asheville, North Carolina: Tangent Scale Models is pleased to announce the availability today of our third all-new freight car release for 2024: the HO Scale Greenville Steel Car Company 6000cf 60’ Double Plug Door Box Car System! This is the latest Greenville Auto Parts box car product in our line of “family-appearance” cars that introduce market-leading design and tooling practices, geared toward consumers who desire the most accurate models with a “family-appearance” between prototypes manufactured by the same builder.
The 1960s freight car building boom was fueled by demand for specialty car types. A key type were 60’ box cars designed for dense auto parts such as engines, bumpers, axles, and glass. Greenville Steel Car was a box car innovator, first introducing these 60’ auto parts cars in 1963. Greenville’s box cars had a distinctive “fishbelly” sill design, and centered Youngstown Steel Door Company double plug doors with a 16-foot door opening. But here are where the similarities end. Greenville produced these box cars with two significant body variations:
• Greenville Steel Car’s production from 1963-1964 had a distinctive “narrow” wheelbase design, and was ordered by DTI, EL (2 orders), DT&I, DTSL, GBW, N&W, MP, MKT, MP, NKP, NYC and WAB
• Greenville Steel Car’s production from the 1965-1966 period changed to a “outset” wheelbase design which made them look more like the box cars produced by the other carbuilders. These later phase cars were ordered by CP, DTI, EL, GTW, LN and SLSF
Fourteen railroads initially bought these cars, with some of them receiving merger-related repaints and some of them changing hands. Most of these workhorses remained in service into the 2000s.
The Tangent Scale Models Greenville 6000cf 60’ Double Plug Door box car is a dimensionally-accurate replica of the real car, designed from actual blueprints. Our Greenville 60’ system includes multiple bodies and design details to handle two different truck centers, corresponding prototypical sill and plug door changes, and accurate roofwalk and end appliance configurations appropriate for the era of the model. Additionally, we include a beautifully-rendered “Diagonal-Panel” roof, complete with accurate Stanray ends and the Greenville “rivet rows” on the sides of the model. Underneath, the car includes prototypical brake piping, appliances, and our “near-scale” draft gear box including side “key” detail. These cars are ready to roll with three possible Tangent-accurate truck and wheel options. Our ready-to-operate replica is finished with coupler lift bars accompanying Kadee® scale couplers, sufficient hidden weights, and CNC-machined wheels to ensure the model operates as good as it looks.
Our March 2024 introductory production of our Greenville Steel Car Company 6000cf 60’ Double Plug Door Box Car System includes FIVE all-new RTR paint schemes plus FIVE undecorated options. Check them out now at www.tangentscalemodels.com
And as usual, all our offerings below feature photos on our website showing the actual model and the prototype cars! Here are our schemes:
– Canadian Pacific CP “Delivery Red 3-1966” shows the as-delivered red scheme, applied by Greenville Steel Car, Co. CP rostered 35 cars in this March of 1966 group. The prototypes featured the fantastic CP script lettering across the full side of the carbody. There was no doubt who owned this car when it passed by trackside! The model features the correct carbody details for March 1966, with the wider 46’ 3” truck centers, high ladders and an Apex-style running board. Check out that beautiful roof overspray on the Stanray diagonal panel roof. On the ends, the model is equipped with an accurate Ajax power brake, Modern brake wheel and Apex brake step. Underneath, the model has an accurate Keyston Center-Of-Car cushioning (COCC) underframe with truck mounted brake hardware. Yes, that means no brake cylinder part – the underframe brake piping routes to small brake cylinders on the brake beams of the trucks. This model is equipped with 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps. The decoration on this model is gorgeous, from the CP script lettering down to the Ford-service return route box to the Canadian Pacific Railway in Windsor, Ontario. These models are ready for cross-border auto parts service on your railroad and available in eight numbers! SKU 33010
– Conrail CR “932B Repaint 1976+ Large Logo” transports us back to the early days of Conrail. This group of cars models former NYC Lot 932B cars that were repainted by the CR’s Hollidaysburg Car Shops. These prototype cars feature the 1963-era body – so that means inset 41’ 3” truck centers and a shorter sill. But it is 1976, so the running boards are gone and the brake appliance and ladders have been lowered. We have carefully duplicated all these features on the model. If you look closely, you will see the “torched off” running board bracket remnants on the roof and the former bolt/strap remnants of the ladders on the sides and ends. The sides of the body have the CR-specific bolster area reinforcements, too! Yes, we tool these specific body and roof versions to get it right. Other features on the model include accurate “cut-down” low ladders, a Universal power brake/brake wheel, end crossover grab irons and Apex crossover end walkways. The double-plug doors have “Auxiliary Top Crank” arms to match the era. Underneath, you can identify that beautiful Keystone Center-Of-Car Cushioning underframe with the centered return unit and offset return spring. The underside crossbearer connectors are taller and hang lower on this version of the underframe, a distinctive look that you can easily see from the side of the car. And you just knew this was coming: The model has Tangent’s All-New 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing trucks with “removed” journal box lids. You can actually see the rebuilt Timken bearing caps in there– just like the prototype! These cool examples of 1970s repaints are available in 6 numbers. SKU 33011
– Erie Lackawanna EL “Delivery Red 3-1966” replicates the as-delivered EL paint scheme for a large order of 47 cars. The prototype cars were delivered in very-late March and early April of 1966, right in the middle of the rules change concerning prototype running board application. These EL cars were the first Greenville 60’ group to be built with low ladders and no running boards. If you look closely at the model, you can spot the rivets around the areas of the car side and ends where high ladders and brake gear would have been mounted. Greenville Steel Car had already drilled the holes for the “high” equipment, and simply filled the holes with rivets to finish the order. Yes, these cars were built new with low ladders. We have duplicated this interesting look on the models, with the correct wider 46’3” truck centers, low side ladders, non-symmetrical low end ladders and low Ajax brake gear. The underframe is equipped with an accurate Keystone Center-Of-Car Cushioning underframe and truck-mounted brake hardware details. The model has Tangent’s All-New 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing trucks with accurate journal box lids for the EL. The graphics on the model are carefully executed, with the Erie Lackawanna’s logo, Roman-style data and Greenville Steel Car-style small data all faithfully reproduced. This group of cars has a return route to the NYC and Ford’s Monroe, Michigan Stampings plant. Available in 8 numbers, with SKUs -01 through -04 NEW in 3-66 and SKUs -05 through -08 NEW in 4-66. Don’t miss out! SKU 33012
– Wabash WAB “Delivery Red 9-1963” duplicates an order of 25 cars in the classic Wabash “Follow the Flag” livery. This group is some of the earliest Greenville 60’ cars built and features the 41’ 3” narrow-truck centers with shorter sills. The Tangent model executed these same prototype features along with a beautiful Apex-style running board and high ladders for the era. On the end of the car, you will notice an accurate Champion-Peacock 1148 power brake and modern brake wheel. The brake step is Morton, while the crossover platforms are Apex-style, matching the Wabash prototypes. The underframe features an accurate Center-Of-Car “Hydra-Cushion” setup with truck-mounted brake gear details. This model is equipped with 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps, just like the prototype. The Wabash paint and lettering are carefully replicated down to the smallest detail. It’s all there, and it’s all correct. These Wabash cars have a return route to the NYC in Warren, Michigan and are available in 6 numbers! SKU 33013
– Milwaukee Road MILW “Red Repaint 1973+” gives us examples of Greenville 60’ Double Plug-Door cars on their second life. In January1973, United State Railway Equipment, Co in Washington, Indiana refurbished a group of ex-GBW cars for the Milwaukee Road. These cars were originally built in 1963, so they feature the earlier 41’ 3” narrow-truck centers with shorter sills. This Tangent model recreates these features exactly. The models also feature the lowered brake appliances and ladders on the A-End only, correct for this version. If you look closely, you will see the “torched off” running board bracket remnants, “L” grab iron on the roof and the former bolt/strap remnants of the ladders on the A-End. The B-End ladders and brake wheel remain in the high position. Yes, we tool these specific body and roof versions to get it right. Underneath, you can identify that beautiful Keystone Center-Of-Car Cushioning underframe with the centered return unit and offset return spring. The crossbearer connectors are taller and hang lower on this version of the underframe, a distinctive look that you can easily see from the side of the car. This model is equipped with 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and truck-mounted brake cylinders, just like the Milwaukee Road prototypes. Lettering and artwork aficionados will appreciate the execution of Milwaukee lettering with a distinctive USRE flavor. Two return routes are reproduced on this group of cars: SKUs -01 through -03 have “Return to PRR Madisonville, Ohio” (Even in 1973, the reference to the PRR continues!) SKUs -04 through -06 have “Return to Essex Terminal R.R. Windsor, ONT.” This great example of 1970s+ railroading is available in six road numbers. SKU 33014
We also have FIVE undecorated kit options available, continuing our dedication to modelers. We know that sometimes you just want to build and paint your own car. We are modelers too, and we understand the need to continue to offer undecorated products.
– Undecorated KIT Phase 1 Body w/ Hydra-Cushion U/F, Truck Brakes provides an unpainted KIT, ready for assembly and painting. This kit includes the Phase 1 1963-1964 body with narrow 41’ 3” truck centers, shorter side sills, high ladders and an Apex running board. The underframe is the “Hydra-Cushion” Center-Of-Car setup with truck-mounted brake gear details. This kit includes 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels. This phase is a match for N&W, MP, WAB. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 33000-01
– Undecorated KIT Phase 1 Body w/Hydra-Cushion U/F, Body Brakes provides an unpainted KIT, ready for assembly and painting. This kit includes the Phase 1 1963-1964 body with narrow 41’ 3” truck centers, shorter side sills, high ladders and an Apex running board. The underframe is the “Hydra-Cushion” Center-Of-Car setup with body-mounted brake gear details. This kit includes both 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing trucks and CNC-machined 36” wheels. This phase is a match for DTSL, EL, MKT, MP, NKP. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 33001-01
– Undecorated KIT Phase 1 Body w/Keystone U/F, Truck Brakes provides an unpainted KIT, ready for assembly and painting. This kit includes the Phase 1 1963-1964 body with narrow 41’ 3” truck centers, shorter side sills, high ladders and an Apex running board. The underframe is the “Keystone” Center-Of-Car setup with truck-mounted brake gear details. This kit includes both 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing trucks and CNC-machined 36” wheels. This phase is a match for DTI, EL, GBW, N&W, NYC. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 33002-01
– Undecorated KIT Phase 2 Body w/Keystone U/F, Truck Brakes provides an unpainted KIT, ready for assembly and painting. This kit includes the Phase 2 1966 body with wider 46’ 3” truck centers, high ladders and an Apex running board. The underframe is the “Keystone” Center-Of-Car setup with truck-mounted brake gear details. This kit includes 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and CNC-machined 36” wheels. This phase is a match for CP, DTI, GTW, SLSF. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 33003-01
– Undecorated KIT Phase 3 Body w/Keystone U/F, Truck Brakes provides an unpainted KIT, ready for assembly and painting. This kit includes the Phase 3 1966 body with wider 46’ 3” truck centers, low ladders and brake wheel. The underframe is the “Keystone” Center-Of-Car setup with truck-mounted brake gear details. This kit includes both 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with rotating Timken caps and 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing trucks and CNC-machined 36” wheels. This phase is a match for EL and LN. You supply your own favorite couplers. SKU 33004-01
We are also pleased to add another brand-new truck to our product line:
– 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing Truck
Each pair of trucks includes:
– Three separate journal box lid options
– Both body-mounted and truck-mounted brake beam parts included
– Leave the journal box lids off to model later variants rebuilt to roller bearings (Yes, Timken roller bearing are partially visible in the journal box opening!)
SKU 2037 with 36” all metal blackened normal tread wheels. (RP-25 .110”)
SKU 2038 with 36” all metal blackened semi-scale tread wheels. (.088”)
SKU 2039 with 36” all metal nickel plated semi-scale tread wheels. (.088”)
The Tangent Scale Models Greenville Steel Car Company 6000cf 60’ Double Plug Door Box Cars are shipping NOW. See https://www.tangentscalemodels.com/greenville-steel-car-company-6000-cuft-60-double-plug-door-box-car/ for photos and more.
Features for our Greenville Steel Car Company 6000cf 60’ Double Plug Door Box Car replicas include:
• Dimensional accuracy – designed from Greenville Steel Car Company plans
• Highly correct “true to life” colors
• “Hyper-Accurate” lettering including exact fonts and lettering placement
• Multiple road numbers for each scheme where appropriate
• Multiple Greenville Steel Car Co. body shells to handle side and end phase/era feature combinations 1963-2000s
• Separately applied door rods, handles, tackboards and door track details.
• “See through” Apex running board where appropriate
• Roofs options include: Installed running board, former-running board torched brackets, and no-running-board variations
• Genuine Kadee® scale couplers
• COCC (Center Of Car Cushioning) “near scale” draft gear with “Keystone” and “Hydra-Cushion” variations
• Underframe detail and brake system variations
• Multiple crossover platform variations: Apex, Gypsum and Morton
• Multiple brake step variations: Apex, Gypsum and Morton
• Separate flexible rubber air hoses
• Beautiful details – metal stirrup steps, wire roof grab irons, wire coupler lift bars and “Tangent-Thin” ladders – no thick “chunky” plastic details anywhere!
• Two coupler lift bar variations
• Sixteen (!) prototypically-accurate brake stands (Ajax High (2), Universal High, Champion-Peacock 1148 High, Peacock 1600 High, Miner 6600 High (2), Ajax Low (2), Champion-Peacock 1148 Low, Peacock 1600 Low, Miner Low, Miner 6600 Low (3), Klasing Low
• Three possible handbrake “brake wheel” options
• Four different Auxiliary Top Crank arm parts to be configured in multiple ways
• Precision Tangent Scale Models 100-Ton Barber S-2 trucks with roadname-specific rotating bearing caps and separate brake beam parts
• All-New Precision Tangent Scale Models 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing trucks with separate journal lids and separate brake beam parts
• Four “rotating” roller bearing truck cap options for 100-Ton Barber S-2 Roller Bearing truck
• Three journal lid cap options for 100-Ton Barber S-2 Plain Bearing truck
• CNC-machined 36” wheels with accurate front and back profile detail
• Replacement 36” semi-scale wheels for our “rotating bearing cap” trucks are available separately from Tangent in either blackened or nickel-silver finish
• Genuine Kadee® scale “scale-head” couplers
• Recommended age 14 years and older
Do not miss out on the Tangent Scale Models Greenville Steel Car Company 6000cf 60’ Double Plug Door Box Car, the introductory model of the 1960s Greenville catalog of auto parts box cars. Pricing for these RTR models is $58.95.