AAR 70-ton, offset-side, 3-bay hopper cars

The Allegheny Midland, or Midland Road, was Tony Koester’s excellent coal-hauling model railroad before he decided to model the NYC&StL, or Nickel Plate Road. These AAR 70-ton, offset-side triple hopper cars are from a series of 500 cars numbered 39500-39999, and were built for the AM in early 1948, when the NKP bought a similar series of hopper cars. They lasted into the 1970s on the AM, and a few may still be seen in operation on various model railroads today.
This car project utilizes Accurail’s 7500-series hopper car, painted black with white lettering. The kit includes Accurail’s AAR cast-steel trucks, an Equipco brake wheel, and Accurail couplers. It also features brake system components with piping and levers, slope-sheet end braces, fine stirrup steps, interior details, and hidden weights.
Four car numbers are available: 39587, 39624, 39639 and 39763
Contact the Car Projects Chairman with any questions.
Prices: $16.00 per car, with a four-car set for $60.00
Shipping (USPS Priority Mail): $5.50 for one car, $7.00 for two to four cars
Ohio Residents must include 6.5% state sales tax on the total price, including shipping charge
Order from:
Division 7, MCR, NMRA
P.O. Box 62501
Cincinnati OH 45241

The Virginian & Ohio (V&O) accepted delivery of 130 steel box cars, equipped with 6 feet wide Youngstown doors, in September, 1938. These cars were built to the 1937 update of the 1932 AAR steel box car design, and were built by the Pullman Standard Car Co. After WWII, the V&O was short of equipment, and subsequently rebuilt 49 of these all-steel cars in their West Carrolton, Ohio shops during 1947. These were the first V&O cars to be painted blue, and the first to have ‘The Ridge Runner’ slogan emblazoned on their sides. The rebuilt cars were renumbered as V&O series 3900-3948, and were specified to be used only for “clean lading.” Many of these cars were interchanged with other Eastern railroads in the Appalachian region and Midwestern states. The last car was retired in 1972, although several cars continued to be used as MOW tool and supply cars after that date.
This car project uses Accurail’s 3500 series all-steel AAR box car with 6 feet wide Youngstown doors, painted V&O blue with white graphics, including ‘The Ridge Runner’ slogan. The kit is provided with Accurail’s couplers and AAR Bettendorf-style trucks.
The V&O box car graphics were designed by W. Allen McClelland, MMR, and are authorized for sale by Cincinnati’s Division 7, Mid-Central Region, NMRA.
