Bluford Shops, N Scale, 87240, 86’ Quad Door Boxcar, Norfolk Southern , #657497
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Pullman Standard 86' Quad Door Boxcar
About the Model
Bluford Shops N scale Pullman Standard 86 ’Auto Parts Box Cars in both Double and Quad Door versions have injection molded plastic bodies, etched metal details, operating knuckle couplers, accurately appearing trucks and cushion draft gear enclosures. Most runs were produced 3 road numbers, a single car and a 2-Pack. The next run will feature two to four road numbers per paint scheme with each number available separately. Cars will operate on an 11" radius curve as delivered. Boxcar runs released in 2022 and forward will feature metal wheels and all-new 1015 compatible draft gear boxes.
About the Protype
The 86-foot quad door boxcar was developed to meet the growing demands of the automotive industry, specifically for transporting large, lightweight auto parts such as body panels and windshields. Built primarily by Pullman-Standard and Thrall, these boxcars featured four large doors on each side, allowing for efficient loading and unloading. Their high-capacity design made them ideal for long-distance shipments, ensuring that assembly plants received parts in bulk while minimizing handling time. Over time, these boxcars were also repurposed for carrying other low-density goods, including paper pulp, turbine fans, and even breakfast cereal.
Railroads such as Norfolk Southern, CSX, and Union Pacific operated these boxcars in dedicated pools, meaning they often traveled far from their home rails to serve multiple auto plants across the country. Their cushioned underframes helped protect fragile cargo, while their distinctive length and quad-door configuration made them easily recognizable on freight trains. Though newer transportation methods have reduced their prevalence, many 86-foot quad door boxcars remain in service today, continuing to play a vital role in automotive and industrial logistics
