Sometime after the 40 foot cars were introduced. Seriously, I think 50 foot cars would have been around for a long time if materials were available to support the weight loading. That means after steel was sufficiently economical as a building material. That would be in the 50s or so. World War two caused a moratorium on the use of steel. Remember the wooden war hoppers in the coal fields? The first UP steel boxcar was 30 feet and was made in 1910 or so. (Article in UP Streamliner. That first car was found a few years ago being used as a tool shed at a house near the tracks.) But, why would the time be any different for western rr than eastern rr? Anyway, I vote 1945 and after as RR began to replace cars.
I keep thinking that at least some of the early 50 footers were built for automobile shipment. Which should help narrow things down some. Boxcab E50
The Santa Fe Automobile and Furniture cars or the Fe class were 50 foot. The Fe-Q were built and delivered around 1924. The Fe-24 class were delivered with the famous system maps and slogans starting in 1941.
OK, so if I'm building a Santa Fe freight for 1947 it can include some 50 footers? If so, which would be the best N scale model to use?
MT sells a 50 foot auto box that is very close to the Fe-24. I custom painted a few for express passenger service but can't find the box they came in to see what MT part number they are. I know they sell them with the map slogans. I am sure there are other 50 box cars that would be appropriat. You just have to look at the Bld. date in the dimention data that MT puts on the car. They are usually very accurate.
My notes show 50' "furniture" cars back in the 1890s, and 50' single-door boxcars in 1944. CLASS BX-39 50' war-emergency single-sheath wood, blt 1944. CLASS BX-40 50' rebuilt from FE-P and FE-R frames & ends. steel fishbelly frames, steel sides. ca 1944 or 45. Class FE-E blt 1898 7201-7300 50' wood underframe data: RailModJrnl Nov89 p.51 Class FE-F blt 1899 7301-7400 50' wood underframe data: RailMod jrnl Nov89 p.51 pix _Furniture and Automobile Boxcars_ p.23 Class FE-M built 1912 64201-64700 50' 1 1/2-door wood pix #64396 Santa Fe Paint & Letter p.30 #64396 bldrs photo _Warbonnet_ 1Q 2000 p.25 ex-FE-M in work service _Work Eqpt.Cars_ p.209,232 pix _Furniture and Automobile Boxcars_ p.26,29,34 General arrangement diagram _Furniture and Automobile Boxcars_ p.144
