Fox Valley Models HO Scale Heavyweight Baggage, Norfolk & Western/Tuscan Red/Railway Express Agency/Square Windows

Originally, many railroad cars were made of wood. This included passenger cars. As train travel increased, larger cars were needed. While wood was a good material to work with, it had limits on weight it could carry, and was not as strong as steel. When steel came around, passenger cars became larger and stronger. The entire car from the frame, to the sides and roof were made of metal, usually riveted together. These solid cars were very heavy and needed considerable strength to be pulled. Later, as construction methods like welding were developed and different metals like stainless steel were introduced, railroads found ways to build even stronger cars with a lighter weight. 

“Heavyweight” often refers to older passenger cars built before the late 1930s. They were usually of riveted steel construction with 6 wheel trucks (not always) and large clerestory or arch roofs that tapered or curved at the ends. Most cars were fully enclosed except for the Observation, which typically had an open porch area on the end. While many different car types were constructed, our cars focus on 5 body styles:  Baggage Car, Single Window Coach, Diner, Sleeper and an Observation.

Baggage cars were essential to the operation of passenger trains, designed specifically for the transportation of passengers' luggage, express parcels, and other cargo. Positioned at the front of the train, these cars provided a secure space for storing large items that couldn’t be kept in passenger compartments. The primary purpose of baggage cars was to ensure that passengers' belongings were safely transported, separated from the passenger areas to maintain comfort and space.

Baggage cars were utilized not only for storing luggage but also for handling mail and express shipments, making them a vital link in the logistics chain of rail travel. They were staffed by baggage handlers who were responsible for loading, unloading, and organizing the items to ensure they reached their destinations efficiently. These cars were particularly important on long-distance routes where passengers would need to transport more belongings, and they also served a crucial role in express services, where time-sensitive cargo was delivered swiftly across the country.

In addition to their practical function, baggage cars helped streamline the overall operation of the train by keeping large items out of passenger areas, contributing to a more organized and comfortable travel experience.

These types of cars could be found all across the US on just about every railroad. Many wore simple “Pullman” green paint schemes, but in later years some cars received new paint to match the then popular lightweight Streamlined cars. While the lightweight cars took over main duties, heavyweight cars could be found in secondary service, with many extending their lives in later years for MOW crews. Some were even used in excursion service – acting as mobile “storage units” to keep important tools and specialized steam locomotive components handy for quick repairs over the road.