HOME ROAD FREIGHT CARS
This page illustrates the various PGE/BCR revenue freight car models I have built for use on the layout.
I consulted Official Railway Equipment Registers, the railway's 1976 Revenue Freight Car Catalogue, railway switch lists, and photographs to determine which revenue freight cars would be required for use on the layout.
BOX CARS PGE 4015, 4038, 4043, BCOL 4049, 4055
By 1977 most of the British Columbia Railway's remaining 40 foot boxcars were employed in grain service on the north end. They were a common sight on the Dawson Creek Subdivision, serving the numerous elevators there. The 4001-4072 series cars were delivered in 1947 and were equipped with six foot doors. Two of my models are ready to run cars from Intermountain decorated in the PGE map scheme, and the other three are custom painted in the PGE revised map scheme or BCR dogwood scheme. I removed the running boards and installed Micro-Trains trucks and couplers. They received moderate weathering.
BOX CARS PGE 4124, 4149, 4155, 4168, BCOL 4210, 4214, PGE 4221, 4289
The more numerous 4101-4300 series cars arrived in 1958 and were equipped with eight foot doors. These eight models are Micro-Trains PS-1 boxcars finished in several different schemes, some with running boards removed, using Floquil paints and CDS dry transfers. They were the first cars I decorated for the PGE/BCR and are now more than 30 years old.
BOX CARS BCOL 8003, PGE 8008, PGE 8010
The railway employed insulated and heated boxcars to ship food and beverage products north. The 8000-8011 series were delivered in 1961 with plug doors. I removed the running boards. These models are also Micro-Trains cars finished with Floquil paints and CDS dry transfers, one in the BCR dogwood scheme and two in the stacked PGE scheme.
BOX CARS PGE 4538, BCOL 4527
The railway received several different series of newsprint and paper cars during the 1960s. These two models represent the 4501-4600 series from Hawker Siddeley in 1966. These models are Micro-Trains PS-1 boxcars finished with Floquil paints and
CDS dry transfers, one in the PGE map scheme and one in the BCR dogwood scheme.
BOX CARS PGE 4605, BCOL 4637
The next series of cars (4601-4650) came from National Steel Car and were equipped with interior post plug doors. These beautiful ready-to-run models were produced by True-Line Trains and I was privileged to serve as a consultant on the project. These cars were less prevalent on the north end, so I purchased one car in the PGE map scheme and another in the BCR dogwood scheme. Moderate weathering was applied.
BOX CARS PGE 4666, BCOL 4674, 4700
The third series of cars (4651-4750) came with exterior post plug doors and were also offered as ready-to-run models by True-Line Trains. I purchased one car in the PGE map scheme and two in the BCR dogwood scheme. Again, moderate weathering was applied.
BOX CARS PGE 5116, 5297, 5344, 5387
The combination door boxcars from National Steel Car were the most numerous cars on the railway during the 1970s and were employed primarily in lumber service. These four models represent the PGE 5100-5399 series cars with end vents and large door stops, which I fabricated in styrene. They are built from the Kaslo Shops resin and etched metal kit and finished with acrylic paints and ORO decals.
BOX CARS PGER 40175, 40334
The dark green cars with light green doors were restricted to international service to the United States. These two cars from the PGER 40000-40399 series were built from the same Kaslo Shops kit and finished with acrylic paints and ORO decals. North American Railcar Corporation is currently preparing a ready-to-run model for these cars which will be a significant release for PGE/BCR modellers.
BOX CARS BCIT 800067, 800069
The housing boom during the 1970s resulted in an urgent demand for more lumber cars. The railway leased 500 cars from the U.S. Railway Manufacturing Co. who supplied what they could on short notice. The first 80 cars were double door boxcars rebuilt by USRM from surplus 40' cars and were equipped with double 8' sliding doors for lumber service. The light green door indicated international service to the United States. They arrived in 1973 and lasted until 1979. These models are Micro-Trains 37000 series PS-1 boxcars with 3D printed replacement doors. The 'BL' ladders were cut down and end hand holds were added. They were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals including the unique font for the reporting marks.
The next 20 cars in the group of 500 leased from U.S. Railway Manufacturing Co. were a series of all-door cars constructed by Southern Equipment & Iron Co. (SEICO). They were numbered BCIT 800100-800119 and also served the railway between 1973 and 1979. Red Caboose offered their Thrall all-door boxcar in BCR colours which is a close approximation. I added extra weight, body mount couplers and metal wheels. Light weathering finished the models.
BOX CARS BCIT 800408, 800420, 800445, 800450, 800501, 800523
The remainder of the 500 car lease from USRM comprised two series of double plug door insulated boxcars numbered in the BCIT 800200-800349 and 800400-800649 series. They operated on the railway from 1974 to 1980. This ready-to-run model from Atlas has been re-issued numerous times and they were welcome additions to the market. Moderate weathering was applied to my six cars.
BOX CARS BCIT 3050, 3077
There was also an urgent need for additional grain boxcars during the 1970s. A total of 55 AC&F 40' boxcars were purchased from the Soo Line in 1974 and re-numbered in the BCIT 3045-3099 series. They were re-stencilled but not repainted. They appear to have been used for export grain service to the United States and a few cars lasted into the 1990s. These models are Intermountain AAR Modified boxcars with 3D printed 4/3/1 IDE ends. The running boards were removed, the 'BL' ladders were cut down, and end hand holds were installed. They were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. They were weathered to simulate the portions of the car which were cleaned for removal of the old road name and herald, and re-stencilling with the new reporting marks.
BOX CARS BCIT 803539, 803610
These two models represent a series of 150 ex-Soo Line boxcars rebuilt by the U.S. Railway Manufacturing Co. and leased to the British Columbia Railway from 1975 to 1980. They were numbered BCIT 803500-803649 and were painted dark green with an unusual typeface for the reporting marks. They appear to have been used in export grain service to the United States. The models are Atlas PS-1 boxcars with styrene additions for the reinforced side sills and gusset plates, and the 'BL' corner ladders were cut down. They were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. These are exquisite models which come with a bag full of spare parts.
FLAT CARS BCOL 1285, 1303, PGE 1343, BCOL 1347, 1366, 1383, 1432, PGE 1446
Standard flat cars were used for a wide variety of revenue and OCS loads. In 1977 it was still common to see them employed in lumber service, particularly on the north end at smaller mills. The 1221-1471 series were 52'-6" long and were built by National Steel Car between 1954 and 1956. My models are assembled from Briggs Models 3D printed kits and were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. The loads include lumber loads from Details N Scale, a scratchbuilt pipe load, and a covered load from Fine N Scale Products.
TRAILER FLAT CARS PGE 7001, 7007, 7015, BCOL 7016, PGE 7028, 7030
The railway's first trailer flat cars were converted from standard flat cars in 1960 and 1961. By 1977 some had been modified to accommodate 45 foot trailers. By this date 13% of the railway's trailer traffic was going to Dawson Creek. My models were assembled from Briggs Models kits and were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. They will carry a variety of van and flatdeck trailers which can be seen on the Trailer pages of this site.
TRAILER FLATCARS BCOL 7100, PGE 7102
The railway's first twin trailer flatcars were delivered in 1961 and were the first such cars in Canada. PGE 7100-7105 were 85'-0" long overall and could carry two 40 foot trailers. My two models are scratchbuilt in styrene with etched treadplate for the runways and Briggs Models hitches. They were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. They will carry a variety of van and flatdeck trailers which can be seen on the Trailer pages of this site. These two models received Merit Awards as part of the NMRA's Achievement Program. A full build thread can be seen on the Railwire forum here.
BULKHEAD FLAT CARS BCIT 16722, 16737, 16859, 16912, 16983, 17824
By 1977 shipments of prime dimensional lumber were allocated increasingly to modern bulkhead flatcars, and a large fleet of such cars was acquired by the railway during the 1970s. Cars restricted to international service to the United States received BCIT reporting marks and light green ends. These six cars are ready-to-run models produced by Rapido Trains for Prairie Shadows and their initial run included the BCIT cars. The decks were repainted a more realistic colour and light weathering was applied.
BULKHEAD FLAT CARS BCOL 17745, 17657, 17815, 17817, 17843, 17949, 17954, 18184, 18267
These nine models are from the second run and depict the general service cars with BCOL reporting marks. Again, the decks were repainted and light weathering was applied. The lumber loads are from Details N Scale and were created specifically to fit these models.
BULKHEAD FLATCARS BCIT 818057, 818095
These 71'-0" bulkhead flatcars were built by Marine Industries Ltd. in 1974 and leased to the BCR for international lumber service. The models were assembled from 3D printed resin and etched metal kits by Briggs Models, and received custom paint and decals. The lumber loads are from Details N Scale and were created specifically to fit these models.
STAKE CARS BCOL 10002, PGE 10034, BCOL 10098, PGE 10101, BCOL 10109, PGE 10255
The railway's stake cars were used primarily to haul logs, poles or pipe. They were built by National Steel Car in 1966 and 1968 and measured 62'-9" over end sills. The models were assembled from Kaslo Shops cast resin kits and were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. Log debris was applied to the top surfaces. The log loads are from Details N Scale and the pole load was made from bamboo skewers which were stained.
GONDOLAS BCOL 9063, BCOL 9084, BCOL 9091, PGE 9106, PGE 9115, BCOL 9117
Like flatcars, gondolas could be seen carrying a diverse range of loads and were often employed in work service as well. The 9001-9125 series were 52'-6" long and were built by National Steel Car between 1954 and 1958. The models are Prairie Shadows NSC gondolas with Briggs Models 3D printed replacement ends. The loads pictured here include a scrap load and tie load from Fine N Scale Products and a pipe load from Hay Brothers. The GHQ loader was re-equipped with a grapple from Railway Express Miniatures. The cars were finished in several different schemes using acrylic paints and custom decals.
GONDOLAS PGE 9208, BCOL 9211, PGE 9401, PGE 9413, PGE 9419, PGE 9422
These six cars represent the 9201-9225 and 9401-9425 series built by Hawker Siddeley in 1965. The HSC cars featured a different style end and were equipped with brake levers rather than brake wheels. PGE 9201-9225 had fixed ends and PGE 9401-9325 had drop ends. The models are Prairie Shadows gondolas with Briggs Models 3D printed replacement ends. I have modelled two cars in the 9201-9225 series for general service and four cars in the 9401-9425 series which will be used for rail service. The models were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals.
GONDOLA PGE 9311
The 9301-9320 series gondolas were built by Hawker Siddeley in 1967 and featured welded sides with flat ends. This car was assembled from a 3D printed kit offered by Briggs Models and was finished with acrylic paints and custom decals.
The 9321-9370 series gondolas were built by Hawker Siddeley in 1972 and featured welded sides with ribbed ends. They were among the final freight cars delivered in PGE livery and wore the revised map logogram. These cars were assembled from 3D printed kits offered by Briggs Models and were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals.
GONDOLAS BCOL 9256, 9295
The 9251-9300 series gondolas were a repeat of the 9321-9370 series but were delivered in BCR livery with the dogwood logogram. These cars were assembled from 3D printed kits offered by Briggs Models and were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals.
WOODCHIP CARS PGE 9906, BCOL 9915, PGE 9924, PGE 9942
The railway's first woodchip cars were converted from standard gondolas in 1962-1964 and were numbered PGE 9901-9960. These four models consist of Prairie Shadows NSC gondolas with Briggs Models chip car conversion kits. They were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. PGE 9906 and 9924 are in the original block letter scheme. PGE 9942 is in the map scheme and was one of two cars known to be fitted with side clean-out doors. BCOL 9915 was one of four cars repainted for the British Columbia Railway with dogwood logogram.
WOODCHIP CARS PGE 9507, PGE 9522, BCOL 9590, PGE 9683
The railway's first purpose-built woodchip cars were ordered from Vancouver Iron & Engineering Works and arrived in 1964-1965. They were used to haul woodchips from lumber mills to export mills, or to pulp mills. My four models are scratchbuilt in styrene and represent three cars as delivered in the original P.G.E. block scheme and one car repainted for the British Columbia Railway. BCOL 9590 earned a Merit Award as part of the NMRA's Achievement Program. A full build thread for these cars can be seen on the Railwaire forum here.
WOODCHIP CARS PGE 9696, PGE 9702
The second series of woodchip cars from Vancouver Iron & Engineering Works was built in 1966 and featured a new dump door design. My two models are scratchbuilt in styrene with dump doors from the CS Models kit (see below). They represent two cars as delivered in the PGE map scheme. These cars are also covered in the build thread mentioned above.
WOODCHIP CAR PGE 9963
In 1968 the PGE converted a further twenty chip cars from standard gondolas and renumbered them PGE 9961-9980. These cars differed from the earlier conversions with a new door design, low brake wheel and ladders, and a revised top chord and internal bracing arrangement. This model consists of a Prairie Shadows NSC gondola, a Briggs Models chip car conversion kit modified for this later series, and a CS Models dump door. It was finished with acrylic paints and custom decals.
Woodchip cars were among the most numerous car type on the railway by 1977 and hauled woodchips from lumber mills to export mills, or to pulp mills. The CS Models styrene kit has been around for a long time and represents the PGE 9766-9825 series, BCOL 90341-90440 and BCOL 90441-90840 series cars. These two cars were upgraded with styrene sub-floors, etched detail parts, and styrene top braces and gussets. The models were finished with acrylic paints and ORO decals, and represent cars delivered in 1968 in the PGE map scheme.
WOODCHIP CARS BCOL 90345, 90362, 90414
These three cars represent the BCOL 90341-90440 series built by Hawker Siddeley in 1973. These models were also assembled from the CS Models kit and upgraded with styrene sub-floors, etched detail parts, and styrene top braces. Cut levers and air hoses were also installed. The woodchip loads are real woodchips. The models were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals.
WOODCHIP CARS BCOL 90481, 90539, 90577, 90629, 90633, 90719, 90760, 90806, 90830
The subsequent series of 400 chip cars was built to the same design by Railwest Manufacturing at Squamish in 1975-1976 and are represented on my layout with these nine models. They are structurally identical to the HSC cars pictured above but vary in some aspects of the stencilling as per the prototype. BCOL 90830 was finished in the unique Railwest Manufacturing Co. demonstrator scheme upon completion. This car toured around the province in an effort to generate sales of the cars.
The railway acquired several series of open hopper cars during the 1950s
and 1960s, and the Atlas model is a good representation of this car
type. They were employed in revenue sulphur service and company service
for ballast work. The Atlas cars received a few modifications to the bracing and door mechanisms. They were painted PGE Freight Car Red and finished with custom decals. They will carry ballast loads from Hay Brothers.
OPEN HOPPER CARS PGE 2506, 2510, BCOL 2514, 2524
The railway acquired several series of open hopper cars during the 1950s and 1960s, and the Atlas model is a good representation of this car type. They were employed in revenue sulphur service and company service for ballast work. The two PGE cars received modifications to the end bracing and door controls, and were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals. The two ready-to-run BCR models received light weathering and carry ballast loads from Hay Brothers.
COVERED HOPPER CARS PGE 2107, BCOL 2108, PGE 2109, 2110, BCOL 2112, PGE 2113, 2115
The railway received two orders of slab side hopper cars in 1962. They were used in cement service and grain service, which made them a common sight on the north end. These important cars are offered as a resin kit by Geoff Gooderham through Central Hobbies. I modelled seven cars in a variety of schemes, completing them with Plano Products etched running boards and styrene tack boards. The models were finished with acrylic paints and decals produced by Daly Designs specifically for this kit. Some cars received weathering depicting the results of years of cement service, and others received lighter weathering to depict cars in grain service.
TANK CARS PGE 1903, BCOL 1917, 1926, 1943
The railway employed a number of tank cars for OCS diesel fuel and lube oil service, transporting these products to engine facilities along the line. Most were rebuilt from former UTLX cars wrecked while on the railway. My models comprise Arnold tank bodies, Micro-Trains underframes and Gold Medal Models top platforms and side ladders. PGE 1903 and BCOL 1917 were finished with acrylic paints and custom decals; BCOL 1926 and 1943 were finished with Floquil paints and a mix of custom dry transfers and Microscale decals. The models depict PGE 1903, BCOL 1917 and BCOL 1943 in diesel fuel service, and BCOL 1926 in lube oil service.
CABOOSE BCOL 1863
The British Columbia Railway operated a fleet of 34 home-built wide vision cabooses. This model was built from the Kaslo Shops resin kit and completed with wire handrails and Miniatures By Eric smoke jacks. The model was finished with Floquil paints and Microscale decals. More of these are planned, and will be equipped with decoders and digital lighting.