Atlas Model Railroad Company: Evans 53-foot Double Plug Door Boxcar

摘要

N - Based on an Evans prototype, this 53-foot insulated, double plug door boxcar saw its introduction by Atlas in both HO and N scales at the same time in 1996. This model has continued to be a popular freight car offering for Atlas with more than 10 production runs during its nearly 20-year history. There's ample reason for this model's frequent releases: The prototype was popular and saw extensive use across North American rails. Evans Railcar built its 53-foot double plug door boxcar from 1969 to 1977 at the manufacturer's Blue Island, Illinois, plant. The car's plug door seal provides an insulated environment inside and carries Association of American Railroads' (AAR) RBL designation. Though not equipped with refrigeration units, the car includes about three inches of insulation all around its inside walls. The AAR puts this insulated freight car into a refrigerator or reefer category "RB" and the "L" references internal loading devices. The pro- tective internal loading appliance in this prototype's case was Evans' Air-pak adjustable, inflatable bulkheads. While many diverse loads might be placed in an RBL of this type, including agriculture and food products, a common job given this car was hauling finished lumber products. The stable temperature and humidity levels maintained once the plug doors were shut and secured, as well as Evans' Cushion Pak underframe design, were ideal for safely shipping plywood, drywall sections, and related construction products.