WalthersProto 920-902 HO Pennsylvania Railroad Merchandise Service Train, Set #3: 12 40' Rebuilt X29B Boxcars, N6B Caboose

WalthersProto HO Pennsylvania Railroad Merchandise Service Train, Set #3: 12 40' Rebuilt X29B Boxcars, N6B Caboose

Walthers Item #: 920-902

While the Pennsylvania handled a formidable volume of less-carload-lot (LCL) freight traffic, increasing competetion from trucking companies and arch-rival new York Central led to the introduction of dedicated Merchandise Service in the late 1940s. Running on expedited schedules, trains could cover the 900 miles between New York and Chicago in 32 hours.
 
As part of the upgrades, Pennsy launched a major rebuilding program for its signature X29 boxcars, resulting in a larger capacity car with a bigger body mounted on the original underframe, classified as the X29b. These rebuilt cars left the shops with a distinct paint and lettering scheme that prominently advertised the service.
 
Meeting schedules called for faster motive power, that included the road's dual-service FP7 and F7B sets, geared for faster speeds and equipped to handle freight, passenger and mail trains.
 
Protecting the trains were the road's tradition N6B wood cabin cars (cabooses), which were sometimes seen in mid-train to expedite pick ups and set outs en route.
 
Although the service was gradually folded into the Truc-Train piggyback operations, many of the X29bs wore their colorful paint schemes for years afterward, remaining in general freight service.
 
Cars available only in this set include: 12 40' Rebuilt X29b Boxcars - #30900, 30921, 30923, 30941, 30944, 30952, 30962, 30965, 30976, 30981, 30990 and 30992
 
N6B Cabin Car (Caboose) Early Sceheme, Eastern Region