Western Pacific 50 foot AC&F Flatcar #2401-2700

Description

AC&F
As war approached, the WP wanted to order more of their same WP Engineering design from WP favorite
Mt. Vernon Car Works, but the order was instead routed by the War Resources Board to American
Car & Foundry. The width was increased to 9’- 6”, but in all other aspects the cars were the same as
the preceding 1937 PC&F 2351-2400 series. These 300 cars were placed in the 2401-2700 series and
were delivered in late (Nov-Dec) 1942. The cars rode on cast Scullin plankless trucks.
In 1950-1953, 75 cars were equipped with steel bulkheads, resulting in a 42’ loading area and renumbered
2851-2925 and reequipped with Barber S-2 trucks and many were stenciled for dedicated service
from USG in Gerlach, Nevada. This turned out to be 2 feet too long for wallboard movements from
the USG gypsum plant but found their niche hauling lumber. Many cars had their bulkheads moved
down to 40’-6” starting in 1956, which was perfect for 8’ wallboard.
In 1954, 24 cars were stretched to 53’6” and the side sill deck widened and were initially equipped with
auto frame racks and renumbered 2201-2224.
In the mid 1970’s 20 additional cars were coupled together into 10 mated pairs with bulkheads for
dedicated lumber hauling use and renumbered 1881-1890.
These flatcars could be found in service well into the 1980’s and the merger with UP.

Cars include decals specific to the ACF cars, brake wheels, trust plates threaded inserts and screws/nuts. Trucks and couplers not included.

CAD design by R.J. Dial

Decals by Bill Kennedy