Kit Classics HO Scale Evans 5100 RBL Boxcar, Illinois Central

Introduced during the late 1960s, the Evans 5100 Cubic Foot (cf) Insulated Double-Plug-Door Boxcar was created to meet the growing demands of shippers. Heavy interior insulation and optional internal load restraints led to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) classification of "RBL" - Refrigerator, Bunkerless, equipped with Load restraining equipment. These cars were designed to protect cargo from the elements and extreme temperature swings without the use of mechanical refrigeration or heating equipment.

The 16' wide door opening made loading and unloading easier plus the closed double-plug-doors created a smooth, sealed opening inside the car. In addition, these cars included cushioned underframes so they were popular with shippers of delicate items like canned goods, bottled products and foodstuffs. Shippers of finished lumber such as wood veneers also found these cars useful to protect their delicate products while in transit. The Evans 5100cf Boxcar helped prevent warpage and other damage that would be possible when shipped via plain boxcars or flatcars.