Here is something you don't see everyday. I stopped in New Buffalo, MI on my way back from Chicago and saw this across the street from the Amtrak station. Full size pics (2 meggers) can be found here and there, and over here too. Enjoy!
I have seen models of these wagons listed in the latest catalogues. I take it they were part of a rapid troop movement train during WW2? Can anyone tell me if they were built in any great numbers, if they are armoured,and if they protected with artillery mounted on wagons?
Mepham, several thousand of these cars were built in WW II, as the United States guaranteed its servicemen first class transportation within the United States and there were simply not enough regular Pullman sleepers to do this. The cars were not armored, nor were they moved in the same trains as artillery pieces. These cars were part of passenger trains, while tanks, artillery, etc., were moved in freight trains. After the war, they were converted to baggage, express, and freight use.
These cars have been released in N scale by Micro-Trains and are nice looking cars. out of the box they sit to far apart. I bodymounted one side and it now sits alot closer to the next car. I was lucky enough to see a converted troop kitchen car in Albuquerque. I am surprised to see them still around.
