Walthers Plastic Headend Cars

Updated 11/26/05

PRR B60b

Walthers has announced several paint schemes for these cars and at least two releases, so here I what I am learning from the internet.

932-5831, Expected: 28-May-2006. Walthers reported, "We have not done it as a straight (modernized) baggage car yet. We are still determining what schemes to do on the next run. Once we get a painted sample from our vendor we will update the website."

932-5832, Expected: 28-May-2006

932-5833, Expected: 28-May-2006

932-5871, Released Oct, 2005, prewar paint with green trucks and underbody, dark brown roof, rectangular door windows. Andy Miller reports, "many B60b's survived with their rectangular windows until quite late in life, so the 5871 is usable for the 50s if you repaint the trucks black." Since the Pennsy was not known for having clean head-end and express cars, he adds, "You want to cover the car with Rail Brown to weather it, and the older car would have had its paint faded anyway."

932-5872, Released Oct., 2005, Late paint scheme with keystone heralds, modern door with round window, black roof, underbody and trucks, messenger star and roof vents. Since this is a messenger car, it would not normally be seen off of home rails.

932-5876, Released Oct., 2005, Postwar paint, modern door with round window, black roof, underbody and trucks, messenger star and roof vents. Andy Spirandeo reports that these cars began in interchange head-end service in September 1948. Bob Zoeller reports that to make this into a normal baggage car would require removal of the star and roof vents. That may be one of the 2006 versions.