When did "hi-cube" box cars first appear?

[rickf77]

Morning folks;

I saw one of these on the DLS this morning. It's a fine looking CPR model. It has the lettering and paint that would work for me (1950's). I'm just wondering if they were around back in those days. I spent a little time looking around and cannot find any info on the cars before the 1960's.

Thanks for any info, cheers.......Rick

 

[SD45T-2]

They first appeared in the 50s-60s for appliance service.

All of those at the time were 40-Foot.

http://www.ho-scaletrains.net/id28.html

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,1465028

 

[rickf77]

Thanks SD45T-2!

I don't believe I have ever seen one of these ugly things in real life. The skin on the one at the DLS was done with the CPR 3 step gothic style. this was used until 1963. So, there very well could have been some with that paint job. I've seen photos of some with the 1963 script and later paint jobs. As a young brat playing in the Dartmouth yard I would have remembered seeing one of these. Since I did not, I believe I will not use this fine looking peice of work!

Thanks again.....Rick

 

[Gary_Evans]

According to the latest issue of Trains magazine, this year is the 50th anniversary of the Hi-cube, which means they first appeared in 1963. They then became obsolete in the mid 1980's.
G

 

[rickf77]

Morning gents; That seems about right to me. There must have been very few steam locos in service by that time. It would have been a rare sight to see the two together. Thank goodness for model railroaders, I always seem to end up at one of their sites when looking for info!

Thanks guys, cheers.....Rick