By Tony Cook
Athearn’s Genesis HO-scale SIECO (stands for Southern Iron & Equipment Co.) 50-foot boxcar arrived with a new production in the last year. This model is available currently (Spring 2023), as part of a specially discounted group of offerings available from your Horizon Hobby/Athearn Trains dealer. Stock is limited, so act now for best selection. The HO model carries a retail price of around $50, but you’ll find it offered as part of this promotion selling for around $30 from select dealers.
This fully assembled freight car replica is based on a 70-ton boxcar with sliding door and exterior-post design. Athearn’s design approach includes a plastic body shell with separate roof section with slab weight secured the inside floor of the 4.5-ounce model. The car includes separately applied grab irons, ladders, brake wheel, end crossover platform, trainline hose, and coupler cut lever.
This “Plate B” car was built by SIECO in the 1970s. You’ll find plans and prototype information in Railroad Model Craftsman‘s November 1996 edition. Additional roster information is available in two editions (August and September 2001) of Railmodel Journal magazine.
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