 Page Updated: Jan 31, 2002 Rolling Stock: Boxcars: B63B B63D X58 X71 X72: Photos Prototype Rosters Life-Like HO Life-Like N References X73 Other Classes Predecessor Operations References Hoppers Cov Hoppers Gondolas Coil Cars Flatcars Autoracks Intermodal Maintenance Scenic Gallery Modeling Ref Shelf CRCyc Home What's New Help Out Site Map Contributors About Myself |
Between 1972 and 1973, Penn Central began purchasing the first of the 50' X72 boxcars from US Railroad Manufacturing (Evans) Blue Island, IL, plant. These cars would eventually find their way to Conrail in 1976, retaining their PC numbering series while getting CR reporting marks. However, many X72's can still be spotted in their original PC green paint scheme and PC reporting marks, though fairly rusted and faded. If you model modern North American railroading, you need several CR/PC X72 boxcars in your collection! Given the ease of modeling this class, there is no reason not to.There is only one subclass of the X72, the X72A. But as Jim Six points out in his Railroad Model Craftsman article listed on the X72 References page, there appears to be no external distinction between the X72 and X72A. Both cars have welded panel construction, with 6-panel Superior doors. Yet I have photographed one X72, CR 269272, with a 6-panel Superior door with raised X-panels, for which no detail part is available. The X72 is a general purpose boxcar that can be found in nearly every service, making is a very common boxcar. Some cars are equipped with DF Belt Loaders for assisting in loading and unloading of special equipment, while other cars are equipped with Dual Air Paks for shock control of goods, and pallets. These specially equipped cars are in assigned service to specific industries for specific loading. As a side note, Conrail's X68 50' boxcar is a nearly identical cousin to the X72, but the X68 has tapered end sections on the side sills and is made of riveted construction.  Photos for personal use only. All rights reserved by original owner of image. Reproduction or redistribution in any form without express written permission is prohibited. |
