Modeling PS-1 boxcars is one of my favorite modeling endeavors thanks in large part to the excellent HO scale Kadee PS-1 model. When introduced, Kadee's tooling was and remains excellent and has become the gold standard for detailing. It was not until recently that Kadee updated their PS-1 line with earlier pre-1948 era options which were applied to the PS-1. The details included an earlier underframe, a roof which lacks stiffeners on the outermost roof panels, and short side sill tabs. The pre-'48 variant of tooling will yield an excellent model for the earliest of SAL orders as detailed below. Beginning in 1948, Seaboard Air Line Railroad ordered 1,900 examples of the PS-1 boxcar which spanned the gamut of PS-1 production.
The cars were delivered in four lots as follows:
Lot 5919B, delivered in October 1948, car numbers 24000-24299, 7 Panel Superior 10'6" door, Ajax handbrake, ASF A3 Ride Control 50-ton solid bearing trucks, Apex running boards, Route of Courteous Service slogan, car cement roof
Lot 5919B, delivered in October 1948, car numbers 24300-24499, 7 Panel Superior 10'6" door, Ajax handbrake, ASF A3 Ride Control 50-ton solid bearing trucks, Apex running boards, Route of Silver Comet, car cement roof
Lot 5994, delivered in May 1951, car numbers 24500-24799, 8' Youngstown YSD-2 doors, Universal handbrake, ASF A3 Ride Control 50-ton solid bearing trucks, Apex running boards, Route of Courteous Service slogan, car cement roof
Lot 5994, delivered in May 1951, car numbers 24800-24999, 8' Youngstown YSD-2 doors, Universal handbrake, ASF A3 Ride Control 50-ton solid bearing trucks, Apex running boards, Route of Silver Comet, car cement roof
Lot 8029, delivered in March 1952, car numbers 25000-25299, 8' Youngstown YSD-2 doors, Universal handbrake, ASF A3 Ride Control 50-ton solid bearing trucks, Apex running boards, Route of Courteous Service, car cement roof
Lot 8029, delivered in March 1952, car numbers 25300-25499, 8' Youngstown YSD-2 doors, Universal handbrake, ASF A3 Ride Control 50-ton solid bearing trucks, U.S. Gypsum running boards, Route of Silver Star, car cement roof
Lot 8221, delivered in January 1955, car numbers 25500-25899, 6 Panel Superior 10'6" door, Miner handbrake first 200 cars, Champion-Peacock last 300 cars, U.S. Gypsum running boards, ASF A3 Ride Control 50-ton solid bearing trucks, Route of Courteous Service, car color roof
SAL classified the series as the B-10 series of cars, however, the class designation did not last beyond this series as it was eliminated after SAL policy changed.
Several years ago, I located a Walter Frost image from the City of Vancouver digital archives which contained Seaboard Coast Line 824097. The prototype was one of the earliest variants of SAL's PS-1s and it was definitely worthy of modeling. It was uncommon to see a SCL repaint with running board intact, and a repaint date of August 1967 making it one of the earliest repaints I have located images of.
After reviewing Kadee's website, it quickly became apparent there is more than meets the eye when modeling early Pre-1950 PS-1s. In short, variance in end reinforcements, straight ladders, bolster tabs, underframe details, the outermost panels being flat in place of roof stiffeners, three point end grab irons, an additional grab iron immediately below the ladder stile, and an alternate retainer valve location were some of the finer points which were revealed. Kadee has posted an excellent detail call-out located at https://www.kadee.com/documents/pre50_PS-1.pdf .
To model this excellent prototype, I am in need of the correct 7 Panel Superior door with even panel spacing which to date has not been released. I have several examples of the Branchline door and it is not correct for this prototype. Hopefully 2021 brings with it additional doors offered by Kadee and undecorated examples of this earliest PS-1.
