Walthers is pleased to announce new Baggage cars for the HO Scale Union Pacific† City Streamliners. These superbly detailed models are based on cars built in 1953-54 by American Car & Foundry, and are fully assembled with factory-installed and painted grab irons.
Fast Facts: From the introduction of the M-10000 in 1934, Union Pacific set a new standard for luxury with its Streamliner trains. As ridership grew in the late 30s, UP ordered new equipment to provide daily service. Although WWII brought an abrupt halt to the project, by 1946, UP and partners CNW, SP and Wabash had over 100 new cars on order to begin daily City runs on several routes. As delivery delays mounted and competitors rolled out new trains, UP opted to rebuild some prewar cars and ordered still more new equipment. While other roads began cutting back in the 1950s, UP expanded service with new "Astra Dome" coaches, lounges and diners. And in 1955, a new service agreement saw Milwaukee Road cars added to UP trains. Despite its ongoing investment in new equipment (by 1965, UP had purchased 642 brand-new cars) and commitment to service, losses escalated and UP turned over operation of its trains to Amtrak on May 1, 1971.
A fixture of long-distance trains for decades, baggage cars originally handled passengers' luggage. As sleeping cars became common and travelers could keep most of their bags with them, the cars also carried express shipments, which helped pay the bills. Purchased in two lots from American Car & Foundry, UP owned 33 of these cars, numbered from 5631 to 5663. Starting in 1975, many were reassigned to Maintenance-of-Way service, where some are still in use today.
Features:
• Factory-Installed and Painted Grab Irons
• Based on Equipment used 1953-1971
• Authentic Paint, Lettering & Striping
• Car Number Decals
• Superb Detail Inside & Out
• Proto MAX™ Metal Knuckle Couplers
• Correct Trucks with RP-25 Metal Wheels
• Great with MILW Yellow & Gray Cars too!
• Certificate of Authenticity and In-depth History with First Edition Models
Scale: HO
Price: $64.98 each
Delivery: August 2010
Baggage #5631-5663 ACF Lot #3810 & #4094
932-9570 UP
932-9571 Undecorated
† Wm. K. Walthers, Inc., is a licensed supplier of products bearing Union Pacific trademarks.
