Kit Classics HO Scale 40' PS-1 Boxcar, Milwaukee Road

The Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company was an outgrowth of the sleeping car business formed in 1867. By the late 1940s, they had become the world’s largest builder of freight and passenger cars with manufacturing plants in 5 different states. 

Pullman-Standard was a very aggressive railcar builder. The company specialized in mass production methods and offered several standardized, high-volume, in-demand railcar types. The 40’ boxcar was one such car.

Through the early 1900s, the American Railway Association (later known as the AAR) tried to develop a standard 40’ steel boxcar. By 1932, they had settled on a base design. Improvements were made over the years and Pullman-Standard began production of their PS-1 Boxcar in 1947. 

The PS-1 was an improvement over previous designs for several reasons. It was nearly 2 tons lighter than other contemporary cars. The car incorporated load-bearing body framing, which added strength and also allowed for a lighter center sill. Most of the PS-1s were welded, which offered superior strength and protection over the riveted cars of the time.

The PS-1 used standardized components including roof, ends, brakes, couplers and in some cases – doors. Customers could buy a proven off the shelf design without the expense of custom designing their own cars. Over 77,000 cars were built through the late 1950’s, and the basic designs were used in later years to build 50’, 60’, and 86’ cars.