Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company Modeling

Saturday, May 23, 2026

Duluth South Shore & Atlantic USRA Box Car 16001

A Duluth South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) USRA double sheathed Box Car kit with car numberd 16001 was a kit produced for the Soo Line Historical & Technical Society by Accurail (4000 series). The kit had been in my unbuilt kits cabinet since November 2000 because my initial research on this car series could not find any data that the prototype existed. The Duluth South Shore & Altantic was not listed on rosters of railroads receiving USRA double sheathed box cars distributed to various railroads with the known need for rolling stock after World I. Since years have passed and new data may have become available, it was time to see if any data had become available on this DSS&A double sheathed box car.

Today prototype photos and source of this DSS&A USRA Design Box Car 16001, series 16000 to 16049, was available. DSS&A USRA Box Car 16001 was among the cars obtained in 1940 from the Pete Marquette (PM) car series 8000081999.

DSS&A 16001 Ken Soroos Collection
(click or tap on this or any image to enlarge)

The USRA design, USRA Specification Number 1003-B, 40 ton double sheathed composite box car features included double sheathed wood sides, six foot side door opening with wood doors, 5/5/5 steel stamped with corrugations ends (generally known as 5/5/5 Murphy ends), metal roof, and steel fish belly center sill underframe. The cars rode on Andrews trucks.

DSS&A 16012 Ken Soroos Collection

The build of DSS&A box car 16001 began with the assembly of the box car kit. On the underbody, bolster center plates, coupler pockets and coupler pocket covers with pins cut off were drilled and tapped for 2-56 screws. Kadee #148 couplers (not in kit) were installed into the Accurail coupler pockets with Fastenal 2-56 x 3/16 inch screws. Accurail Andrews trucks, #166, were installed with Fastenal 2-56 X 1/4 inch screws. Basic brake components: brake cylinder, air reservoir and control (AB) valve, drilled to accept piping to be installed later, were installed. The kit provided weight was installed with Permatex Clear Silicone RTV adhesive sealant. Now the underbody was installed in the car body. The assembled car was placed on a digital postal scale that showed the car weight to be 3.8 ounces. And, trucks and brake components were brush painted with Vallejo/MicroMark Model Air Tarnished Black X29022X2.

An upgrade of the the assembled car body began by carving off all molded on grab irons and grab iron ladders.

Drop grab irons and
drop grab ladders removed.

Holes for wire grab irons were drilled with a #80 drill. Areas where parts were carved off were brush painted with Vallejo paint mix: Model Air Rust 71.080 50% and Model Color Cavalry Brown 70.982 50%. A excellent match to the manufacture paint. Running boards were installed. Prior to install the molded on longitudinal running brackets on the car ends were cut off.

Drop grab irons areas after removal painted.

Next the running boards were given wood grain using a extremely fine saw blade.

Wood grain applied to running boards.

Now, as with carved off grab iron areas the running boards were brush painted with Vallejo paint mix: Model Air Rust 71.080 50% and Model Color Cavalry Brown 70.982 50%.

Running boards repainted.

Once brush painted areas were dry, the B end work was done. The molded on longitudinal running board brackets that had been cut off were replaced with Yarmouth Model Works #220, etched running board braces. Brake step provided in the kit and brake step brackets from Tichy AB set #3013, were installed. A retainer valve, Yarmouth Models resin cast, was installed. Retainer line and brackets, Tichy #1100, .008 diameter phosphor bronze wire (PBW), install followed. The brake shaft, Tichy #1102, .015 diameter PBW was installed. A brake shaft fascia bracket made from Detail Associates #2524 brass flat 10 x 30 bar stock was installed. The brake shaft step was reworked to have a better prototype look. The brake wheel in the kit was installed on the brake shaft 9 inches above the running board. New drop grab irons and ladder rungs bent from Tichy Train Group (Tichy) #1101, .010 diameter phosphor bronze wire (PBW) were installed.

B end upgrade details installed.

The install of grab irons and grab iron ladder on the sides was done next.

Drop grab irons and drop grab iron ladders installed.

Now on the roof, the removed lateral running board grab irons were replaced with wire ones bent from Tichy #1101, .010 diameter PBW. For roof corner grab iron legs, Yarmouth Model Works etched eye bolts without shoulder were used.

Roof grab irons irons installed.

Roof grab irons irons installed

Next, the molded sill steps were cut off. New sill steps were bent from Detail Associates #2524 brass flat .010 x .030 bar stock and installed in #76 drilled holes.

Brass sill steps installed.

The install of sill steps completed the car body upgrade except for uncoupling levers. Onto the underbody install of detail parts was done as follows:

Brake cylinder lever, made from Evergreen 1 x 8 strip styrene
Floating lever, made from Evergreen 1 x6 strip styrene
Air reservoir had side mounts added with MEK Goop
Piping from air reservoir to control valve, Tichy #1101 .010” PBW
Piping from brake cylinder to control valve, Tichy #1106, .0125” diameter PBW
Brake rods, Tichy #1106 .0125” PBW
Brake rod clevises, MEK Goop (plastic melted in MEK)
Chain, Tichy #8334, black 40 links per inch
Train line, Tichy #1103, .020 diameter PBW
Dirt collector, scrap plastic rod, reworked

Underbody detail parts installed.

With the underbody detail parts installed it was back to the car body to brush paint all detail parts added on the B end and sides. Again, the Vallejo paint mix of Model Air Rust 71.080, 50% and Model Color Cavalry Brown 70.982, 50% was used to brush paint added detail parts.

Added upgrade parts brush painted.

To finish the underbody, the underbody and all added detail parts were brush painted with Vallejo/MicroMark Tarnished Black X29022X2.

Underbody brush painted.

Once brush painting of installed detail parts was finished, install of uncoupling levers was done. Uncoupling levers were bent from Tichy #1106, .0125 diameter PBW. Uncoupling lever brackets used were eye bolts bent from Tichy #1101 .010 diameter PBW.

Uncoupling levers installed.

After uncoupling levers were brush painted the car body was airbrushed with Vallejo Gloss Varnish 70.510, to provide a gloss base for decal application. Decals, herald and number to change reweigh year from 1941 to 1951, were provided in the kit. In the reweigh date the “4” was removed and replaced with a “5.”

Decals were soaked off in distilled water and applied to the car body where MicroScale Micro Set had been applied with a brush. After the decal was applied in the Micro Set and positioned the edges had MicroScale Micro Sol applied. Any excess solution was sucked away with the torn edge of a paper towel. Again when dry, car body sprayed with Vallejo Gloss Varnish 70.510 to better hide edges of decals and protect decals during handling. Again when dry, the car body was sprayed with Model Master Acryl, #4636, flat to protect decals and provide a flat finish for weathering when applied.

Decals applied.

Before putting DSS&A 16001in service on the M&N, the car was weathered with Pan Pastels. First, Paynes Grey Tint 840.7 was applied lightly with a small paint brush over entire car body to show aging. Next Paynes Grey Extra Dark 840.1 was applied with a large makeup brush on the entire car body and underbody. Car body applications were blended using a cotton swab. Burnt Sienna Shade 740.3 was applied to the springs with sponge tip.

DSS&A 16001 weathered.


	DSS&A 16001 weathered.

Duluth South Shore & Atlantic USRA double sheathed box car 16001 was ready for service on the Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company, The Lakeland Route, “Serving today, Shaping tomorrow.” A car card was made for DSS&A box car 16001, the final step to put the a car in service on the Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company Railroad.

DSS&A 16001 sitting on CGW Interchange
in Randolph, Minn.

I want to say, “Thank You”, to Ken Soroos for providing and letting me use photos of DSS&A double sheathed USRA Box Car 16001 and 16012 for my build and use on this blog. And, a “Thank You” to Ray Breyer for providing the data that the subject car was obtained from the Pere Marquette in 1940.

Thank You for taking time to read my blog. You can share a comment in the section below if you choose to do so. Please sign your comment with your name if you choose to leave one. All comments are reviewed and approved before they appear. Please share the blog link with other model railroaders.

Lester Breuer

Plymouth, MN

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Minneapolis & STL USRA Box Car 51372

A Duluth South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A) USRA double sheathed Box Car kit produced for the Soo Line Historical & Technical Society by Accurail had been in my unbuilt kits cabinet since November 2000. The kit with car body assembled in 2001, sat in the unbuilt kits cabinet all these years as the the car was painted yellow with red lettering and lettered for merchandise service. A car that I could upgrade and place in the display case; however, that is full. Therefore, I decided I would finally finish the started build; however, paint and letter it for a USRA box car that could run on my Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company (M&N) railroad with a time period of late spring 1955. After review of reference materials and searching decals I had available, I decided the double sheathed box car would become a Minneapolis & St Louis (M&STL) USRA double sheathed Box Car even if by my time period only one or two were left on the M&STL roster.

The prototype car I chose to model and number 51372 was from one of the USRA additional groups purchased after having received the original group, series 22000-22598. Specifically, the additional group was one of 250 cars purchased in 1940 from Hyman-Michaels and placed in series 51000-51398. The USRA design, USRA Specification Number 1003-B, 40 ton double sheathed composite box car features included double sheathed wood sides, six foot side door opening with wood doors, 5/5/5 steel stamped ends, metal roof, and steel fish belly center sill underframe. The cars rode on Andrews trucks.

As for prototype photos, I used a photo of M&STL 25538 for my build. The photo is one I took of the photo in Steam Era Freight Cars Reference Manual Volume One: Box &Automobile Cars (Speedwitch Media, 2006. 2007). M&STL 25538 built in 1940 by Hyman-Michaels was placed in series 25300-25898, the additional group of purchased cars prior to group I chose. The photo I took is included here with permission to use obtained from Ted Culotta.

M&ST L 25538 Courtesy of Ted Culotta
(Click on this or any image to enlarge)

In addition to M&STL 25538 photo, I used the car drawing of a USRA Double Sheathed Box Car in Mainline Modeler (March/April 1980).

USRA Double Sheathed Box Car Drawing

The build of the kit began back in 2001 when the car body was assembled. The underbody frame coupler pockets and truck kingpins were drilled and tapped to accept 2-56 screws. Kadee #148 couplers were inserted into coupler pockets and coupler pocket covers were installed with Walthers #947-1032, 2-56 x 3/16 inch screws. Temporary Accurail ARA Cast Steel with spring plank trucks with InterMountain 33 inch metal wheels were installed with Athearn #99002, 2-56 x 1/4 inch screws. A car weight was cut from .040 sheet lead and installed on the underbody floor side with Permatex Clear Silicone Adhesive. With the sheet lead weight added the car weight was 3.8 ounces. Kit brake components were installed. The underbody was airbrushed in 2001 with Floquil Black #F110013 (no longer manufactured) and installed in the car body.

Underbody installed in car body.

On the assembled car body lettering removal was done first. Using a scratch brush with nylon bristles and 91% isopropyl alcohol the red lettering including DSS&A herald, reporting marks, number 10085 and words “merchandise service” were removed.

Car body lettering removed.

Once lettering was removed, all molded on grab irons and drop grab iron ladders were carved off. On the B end the brake step, brake shaft and brake wheel installed in 2001 and painted Floquil Rail Box Yellow #R33 ( no longer manufactured) were left undisturbed.

Molded on grab irons and
grab iron ladders removed.

New drop grab irons and drop grab irons for ladders bent from Tichy Train Group (Tichy) #1101, .010 diameter phosphor bronze wire (PBW) were installed.

Wire drop grab irons and
drop grab grab iron ladders installed.

After grab iron and drop iron ladder install on the B end, the molded on longitudinal running board brackets were cut off and replaced with Yarmouth Model Works #220, etched running board braces. Brake step brackets and a retainer valve from Tichy AB set #3013, were installed. A retainer line and brackets, Tichy #1100, .008 diameter PBW, install followed.

B end upgrade parts installed.

Roof grab irons installed.

Next, the molded sill steps were cut off. New sill steps were bent from Detail Associates #2524 brass flat .010 x .030 bar stock and installed in #76 drilled holes.

Brass sill steps installed.

The install of sill steps completed the car body upgrade except for uncoupling levers so into the paint shop the car went. In the paint shop the car body was airbrushed Vallejo/MicroMark Model Air Box Car Red X29015X2. When paint was dry the car body was airbrushed with Vallejo Gloss Varnish 70.510 to provide a gloss decal base.

Car body airbrushed Box Car Red.

Once paint was dry the upgrade of the underbody, normally completed prior to being placed into the paint shop, was done. On the underbody the install of detail parts was done as follows:

Brake cylinder lever, made from Evergreen 1 x 8 strip styrene
Floating lever, made from Evergreen 1 x 6 strip styrene
Piping from air reservoir to control valve, Tichy #1101 .010” PBW
Piping from brake cylinder to control valve, Tichy #1106, .0125” diameter PBW
Brake rods, Tichy #1106 .0125” PBW
Brake rod clevises, MEK Goop (plastic melted in MEK)
Chain, Tichy #8334, black 40 links per inch
Train line, Tichy #1103, .020 diameter PBW
Dirt collector, scrap plastic rod, reworked

Under body upgrade details installed.

To finish the underbody, the underbody and all added detail parts were brush painted Vallejo/MicroMark Tarnished Black X29022X2.

Under body brush painted.

With the underbody finished it was back to the car body to apply decals. Decals used to letter the car came from a M&STL Mark Vaughan set made for him by Rail Graphics (no longer available).

Decals applied.

Once underbody detail parts install was finished, install of uncoupling levers was done. Uncoupling levers were bent from Tichy #1106, .0125 diameter PBW. Uncoupling lever brackets used were eye bolts bent from Tichy #1101 .010 diameter PBW. In the photos below the uncoupling lever after initial install had too drastic angle. It was changed later.

Uncoupling lever installed.

Uncoupling lever install changed.

Before weathering was done, trucks were changed. Accurail ARA cast steel with spring plank #164 trucks were removed and Accurail Andrews #166 trucks were installed. Trucks prior to install were brush painted with Vallejo/MicroMark Model Air Tarnished Black X29022X2.

Andrews Trucks installed.

Before putting M&STL 51372 in service on the M&N, the car was weathered with Pan Pastels. Paynes Grey Extra Dark 840.1 was applied with a large makeup brush on the entire car body and underbody. Burnt Sienna Shade 740.3 was applied to the springs with sponge tip.

Car weathered with Pan Pastels.

Minneapolis & St Louis USRA design double sheathed box car 51372 was ready for service on the Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company, The Lakeland Route, “Serving today, Shaping tomorrow.” A car card was made for M&STL 51372, the final step to put the a car in service on the Minneapolis & Northland Railroad Company Railroad.

M&STL 51372 spotted at Anchor Glass

I want to say, “Thank You”, to Ted Culotta for letting me use a photo I took of photo of M&STL double sheathed USRA Box Car 25538 in Steam ERa Freight Cars Reference Manual Volume One: Box &Automobile Cars (Speedwitch Media, 2006. 2007) on this blog.

Lester Breuer

Plymouth, Minn.