[ More Topics ] [ Model Grades ]

What's  New?
Guest Book

Latest News
Locomotive Models
Freight Car Models
Modeling Tips
Photos
Projects
Decals
Paint Matches
Lettering Diagrams
WRX Numbers
Green Bay & Waupaca

A compilation of tips on producing models of specific types of Green Bay Route cars.

The suitability of the models are graded on a scale from 'A' (exact), 'B' (close), 'C' (stand-in) and 'E' (for effort, meaning a kit-bash). See this page for more details on the grades.

	Scale	Mfr.	Cat. No.	Prototype	AAR Car Type	Match Grade	Comments
1	HO	Accurail	#3100	GBW 21000 to 21038	RBL	B	40' Plug Door Boxcar
2	HO	Accurail	#3400	GBW 650 to 691	XME	C	40-Foot PS-1 Boxcar The Accurail car is a good stand stand-in, but has an 8-foot wide door.
3	HO	Accurail	#3400	GBW 900 to 949	XME	C	40-Foot PS-1 Boxcar These PS-1 boxcars had a 9-foot door, unusually wide for a 40-foot boxcar. The Accurail 40-Foot PS-1 Boxcar model's 8-foot door is not wide enough and the sill is the wrong shape but it might make an OK stand-in.
4	HO	Accurail	#3400	GBW 1000 to 1004	XML	C	40-Foot PS-1 Boxcar An E&C Shops (also marketed by Branchline Trains) 50' PS-1 kit with a 9-foot P-S door can be the basis for a kitbash project. See how it can be done.
5	HO	Accurail	#4100	GBW 8000 to 8098	XM	B	40' Outside Braced Boxcars The model can be improved by replacing the sloping center sill supplied in the kit with a scratchbuilt straight sill. The kit is available lettered for GB&W.
6	HO	Accurail	#4800	AW 3000 to 3004	RB	B	40' Wood Refrigerator A close match - the Accurail model is actually based on BREX 75000-75999 built 1926.
7	HO	Accurail	#4800	WRX 9000 to 9999	RS	B	40' Wood Refrigerator
8	HO	Accurail	#5000	GBW 4100 to 4193	XM	B	50-Foot AAR Boxcar Pretty well matches these 1970's era 50-foot cars, made from stretched 40-footers. It has the correct roof/ends/door/riveted side panels; the purist could shorten the side ladders and remove some of the rivets to represent the welded center panels. Some cars were renumbered in 695- series in later years.
9	HO	Accurail	#5000	GBW 2900 to 2974	XL	C	50-Foot AAR Boxcar Could represent a stand-in for these cars, although the 8-foot door would be a foot too narrow for this particular prototype.
10	HO	Accurail	#7000	GBW 6000 to 6298	XM	B	6-Panel Boxcar / Wood Ends The prototype had lumber doors on one end. The model can be improved by cutting down the fishbelly center sill to a simple straight sill.
11	HO	Accurail	#7100	GBW 8100 to 8198	XM	B	6-Panel Boxcar / Dreadnaught Ends The Accurail car has early improved 4/4 dreadnaught ends, the prototype has a prewar 3/3/3 style. The model can be improved by replacing the sloping center sill supplied in the kit with a scratchbuilt straight sill.
12	HO	Accurail	#7100	KGB 5500 to 5598	XM	B	6-Panel Boxcar / Dreadnaught Ends Close match - the Accurail car has early improved 4/4 dreadnaught ends, the prototype has a prewar 3/3/3 style. The model can be improved by replacing the sloping center sill supplied in the kit with a scratchbuilt straight sill.
13	HO	Athearn	#2903-J	GBW 200 to 214	LO	B	54' PS Covered Hopper - Albert City Elev The Athearn 54' PS 3-Bay Covered Hopper is a good starting point since it was available pre-painted for the Albert City Elevator (#2903-J, now out of production). The Athearn car is a 16-rib model; the prototype PS2CD/4750 has 18 ribs. The pre-painted Athearn model was part of a 12-pack of colerful covered hoppers -- now out of production.
14	HO	Athearn	#ATH1969	GBW 103 to 105	XML	B	86' 4 Door High Cube Box A close match for the prototype, except the model has welded sides while the prototype was riveted. The undecorated kit is currently out of production; decorated kits are available.
15	HO	Athearn	#ATH5050	GBW 4200 to 4399	XM	B	50' Box Athearn kit has the correct 5-5 Dreadnaught end.
16	HO	Athearn	#ATH5407	KGB 401 to 420	HM	B	34' 2 Bay Offset Hopper The flat end Athearn hoppers are a close match, although the offset transition at the end is little different than the prototype, and the model has 9 stiffeners at the top of the car while the prototype had 7.
17	HO	Athearn	#ATH91400	GBW 7000 to 7049	XM	A	50' FMC 5347 Box The Athearn ready-to-run cars are an exact match. The Athearn boxcar was originally made by MDC (#1950).
18	HO	Athearn	#ATH91400	GBW 8000 to 8199	XM	A	50' FMC 5347 Box The Athearn ready-to-run cars are an exact match. The Athearn boxcar was originally made by MDC (#1950).
19	HO	Athearn	#ATH91400	GBW 8302 to 8424	XM	A	50' FMC 5347 Box The Athearn ready-to-run cars are an exact match. The Athearn boxcar was originally made by MDC (#1950).
20	HO	Athearn	#ATH91400	GBW 10100 to 10243	XP	A	50' FMC 5347 Box The Athearn ready-to-run cars are an exact match. The Athearn boxcar was originally made by MDC (#1950).
21	HO	Athearn	#ATH91400	GBW 11000 to 11001	XP	A	50' FMC 5347 Box The Athearn ready-to-run cars are an exact match. The Athearn boxcar was originally made by MDC (#1950).
22	HO	Athearn	#ATH91400	GBW 16000 to 16299	XP	A	50' FMC 5347 Box The Athearn ready-to-run cars are an exact match. The Athearn boxcar was originally made by MDC (#1950).
23	HO	Athearn	#ATH91400	GBW 7450 to 7649	XM	B	50' FMC 5347 Box Has the right ends, doors, and 14 panels to serve as a stand-in for these cars. The car can be improved considerably by removing the last rib on the side of the car where the ends attach. Drill little holes to represent the plug welds along the edge where the end attaches to the side. The roof can be improved by substituting a Branchline 50 ft overhanging diagonal panel roof (part #100006), and the sill reinforcement can be modeled with styrene. The Athearn boxcar was originally made by MDC (#1950).
24	HO	Athearn	#ATHG4070	GBW 90 to 99	XM	C	60' ICC High Cube Box Athearn's ICC 60' boxcar has a 12-foot door, GBW prototype cars had 10' doors.
25	HO	Athearn	#ATHG4430	GBW 22000 to 22028	RBL	A	50' NACC Box w/Superior Door The model comes with either a Pullman Standard or Stanray (Superior) diagnonal panel roof, use the Stanray version.
26	HO	Atlas	#1650	GBW 210 to 219	XAP	C	60' Auto Parts Boxcar The Atlas 60' ACF auto parts boxcar is the successor design to the ACF cars the GBW purchased.
27	HO	Atlas	#1750	GBW 2400 to 2449	XL	C	Evans 53' Double Plug-Door Box Car These cars are close, but have double doors centered on the sides while the prototype has offset 7'+8' doors. The models have different side sill and ends. The Atlas model is based on a 52' Evans car from the late 1970s. The Atlas model is based on a 52' Evans car from the late 1970s.
28	HO	Atlas	#1850	KGB 401 to 420	HM	B	50-Ton 2-Bay Offset-Side Open Hopper A close match, although the offset transition at the end is little different than the prototype, and the model has 9 stiffeners at the top of the car while the prototype had 7. The end details on the Atlas model are a closer match to the prototype than the Athearn car.
29	HO	Atlas	#918	GBW 7050 to 7199	XM	B	ACF 50'-6" Boxcar Close match; other than a different sill arrangement the GBW cars match this model of an ACF 5300 cu.ft.plate C exterior post boxcar
30	HO	Atlas	#B1000A	GBW 112000 to 112012	XML	A	50' Postwar Box Car - 8' Door Formerly Branchline Trains #1000A, purchased by Atlas in 2011.
31	HO	Atlas	#B1200	AW 3000 to 3004	RB	A	40' ACF/URTX Wood Reefer The Branchline kit is an accurate match for the ACF prototypes. It is available lettered in two WRX schemes. Formerly Branchline Trains #1200, purchased by Atlas in 2011.
32	HO	Atlas	#B1200	WRX 9000 to 9999	RS	A	40' ACF/URTX Wood Reefer Formerly Branchline Trains #1200, purchased by Atlas in 2011.
33	HO	Atlas	#B1700	GBW 2500 to 2699	XL	E	50' Plug Door Box Car Kit - AAR Style Originally double-door boxcars, rebuilt as single plug door cars prior to going on GBW roster. Modeling would be a challenge: Start with a Branchline boxcar to get the riveted carsides, and sand off the riveted panel seams where the auxiliary sliding doors were filled in with welded sheets. Substitute InterMountain PS-1 ends, but unsure if the roof was still Pullman panels or if it had been replaced with Stanray diagonal panels. You will have to scratch the door as it has never been done on any model. Formerly Branchline Trains #1700, purchased by Atlas in 2011.
34	HO	Bowser	#1-56200	GBW 4801 to 4879	HM	B	Pennsylvania Class GLa 2-Bay Open Hopper
35	HO	Bowser	#1-56200	GBW 4901 to 4913	HM	B	Pennsylvania Class GLa 2-Bay Open Hopper
36	HO	Bowser	#1-56200	KGB 4501 to 4569	HM	B	Pennsylvania Class GLa 2-Bay Open Hopper
37	HO	Con-Cor	#1-009618	GBW 200 to 209	XAP	B	60' Greeenville Auto Parts Boxcar The model sits about 6-8 inches too low. The model is for a car with 41'-3" truck spacing; the GBW cars had 46'-3" spacing. The car can be modifed by cutting a section of underframe from just behind the bolster towards the coupler box and flipping it around. The Con-Cor boxcar was originally made by Robins Rails (#9600).
38	HO	Detail Associates	#200	KGB 7001 to 7039	GH	C	40' General Service Gondola with Composite Sides
39	HO	Details West	#500	GBW 2400 to 2449	XL	C	50' Double Plug Door Box Car These cars are close, but have double doors centered on the sides while the prototype has offset 7'+8' doors. The models have different side sill and ends. The Details West model is now offered by Athearn as a ready-to-run model.
40	HO	Details West	#500	GBW 22040 to 22089	RBL	C	50' Double Plug Door Box Car The Details West car (now Athearn RTR) can be stand-in for these cars. The straight sills and equal-sized doors (the prototype doors were 8'+6') are incorrect. The Details West model is now offered by Athearn as a ready-to-run model.
41	HO	E & C Shops	-	GBW 900 to 949	XME	E	50-foot Pullman-Standard Boxcar An E&C Shops (also marketed by Branchline Trains) 50' PS-1 kit with a 9-foot P-S door can be the basis for a kitbash project. See how it can be done. Out of production. Also marketed by Branchline Trains. The LBF #1100 PS-1 50' boxcar seems similar.
42	HO	Eel River	#100U	GBW 50000 to 50049	RBL	E	62'-1'' Beer Car w/ 12'-0'' Doors Starting with an Eel River Models Beer Car with 12 foot door, remove one bay from each end using the extra rib as a cutting guide. Add a Railbox boxcar style end (an easy scratch or cut one off an MDC or Athearn body), and some rectangles from plastic sheet for the door stops. Use an Accurail 50 foot diagonal panel roof.
43	HO	Exactrail	#EE-1600	GBW 7450 to 7649	XM	C	Evans-USRE 5277 Box Car (Early) Requires a diagonal panel roof and a Youngstown door.
44	HO	Funaro and Camerlengo	#6180	GBW 4037 to 4075	HM	B	Wood Seley Hopper
45	HO	InterMountain	-	GBW 200 to 214	LO	A	4750 C.F. 3-Bay Covered Hopper Exact match for these pink covered hoppers.
46	HO	InterMountain	#40495	GBW 650 to 691	XME	A	40' PS-1 Boxcar 7' Door Intermountain makes a kit with the correct 7-foot door for these ex-NYNH&H PS-1 boxcars.
47	HO	InterMountain	#40499	GBW 700 to 899	XM	A	40' PS-1 Boxcar 6' Door Use a 6' seven-panel Superior door.
48	HO	InterMountain	#40999	GBW 500 to 519	XAP	A	50' PS-1 Single Door Boxcar The model has a roofwalk and full-height ladders which is how the prototype was delivered; the roofwalk was removed and the ladders were shortened around 1970 when the time the cars were shopped and painted yellow.
49	HO	InterMountain	#42500	GBW 1730 to 1759	XM	A	5277 Cubic Foot Boxcar Was produced as a decorated GBW R-T-R model in 2003.
50	HO	Kadee	#3997	GBW 700 to 899	XM	A	40' PS-1 Box Car Use a 6' seven-panel Superior door.
51	HO	Kadee	#6100	GBW 500 to 519	XAP	A	50' PS-1 Gradual Side Sill Boxcar The model has a roofwalk and full-height ladders which is how the prototype was delivered; the roofwalk was removed and the ladders were shortened around 1970 when the time the cars were shopped and painted yellow.
52	HO	Kadee	#7001	KGB 401 to 420	HM	B	50 Ton AAR Standard Open Bay Hopper A close match, although the offset transition at the end is little different than the prototype, and the model has 9 stiffeners at the top of the car while the prototype had 7. The end details on the Kadee model are a closer match to the prototype than the Athearn car.
53	HO	LBF	#1200	GBW 7050 to 7199	XM	B	ACF 50'-6'' Boxcar The LBF model is supposed to be an exact match for these cars, but the model has flaws in details such as half-round side posts, poor doors and roof details.
54	HO	LBF	#1910	GBW 5500 to 5534	GB	A	52'-6'' Mill Gondola - fluted sides and strap ends The LBF general service gondola with fluted sides is a good match for these GBW gondolas. Use the 'strap end' version.
55	HO	Life-Like	#21899	GBW 112000 to 112012	XML	A	50' Single Door Box Car
56	HO	MDC Roundhouse	#1340	KGB 7101 to 7199	GB	C	40' Gondola There is no exact match for these N&W-designed gondolas, but the MDC kit (based on a late-1940s C&O prototype) could serve as a rough stand-in model. It has ten panels and a 40' length.
57	HO	MDC Roundhouse	#1980	AHW 4000 to 4099	XM	B	50' FMC Box Car - Double Door Close match. The MDC boxcar is actually a model of a design that FMC cataloged but never built (50'-6" IL Plate C box with a centered 16' door opening). The the CUSHION SERVICE lettering from the DM Custom Decal sets isn't appropriate for these cars; the actual lettering on those cars is a vertically-compressed font. Most MDC products are now part of Athearn's catalog; unsure if this boxcar is currently offered by Athearn.
58	HO	Modelers Choice	#250001	GBW 20 to 29	GB	A	Thrall 14-panel Gondola The kit contains pre-cut styrene sides, ribs, two floor pieces, bolster pieces, injection molded ends and detailed instructions. The modeler must supply additional detail parts, paint and decals to complete the model.
59	HO	Modelers Choice	#250005	GBW 30 to 39	GB	B	Thrall 15-panel Gondola - 2000 CuFt The kit has the correct length and width and 15 side panels, but is based on a 2000 cu.ft. prototype (GN 78800-78999). The GBW gondolas were a larger 2300 cu.ft. type and were 8" taller.
60	HO	Red Caboose	#34516	GBW 11100 to 11235	RPL	B	R-70-15 57' Mechanical Refrigerator A close match for these ex-BAR cars. The plug door is slightly different. BAR decalds for this car are available from Microscale for making a moidel of these cars.
61	HO	Red Caboose	#RC-5100	KGB 7001 to 7039	GH	C	General Service Gondola w/Composite Sides
62	HO	Red Caboose	#RC-8900	GBW 600 , 604, 610 to 624	XM	B	AC&F 4-3-1 8' Door Welded Box Car Correct roof, ends, and door -- although the sill shape is incorrect.
63	HO	Sunshine	#75.2	KGB 401 to 420	HM	A	Twin bay chiseled side hopper Exact match for the IC / GBW prototypes.
64	HO	Train Miniature	#720-2850	KGB 7001 to 7039	GH	C	40' Hart Gondola Surprisingly, the Walthers Silver Streak (metal & wood) and Train-Miniature (plastic) models that were advertised as Hart Gondolas were not that good of a match for these prototypes. The truss side sills need to be removed, the frame is very different (GBW cars appear to have a deep fishbelly center sill, similar to Accurail parts), and the side post arrangement doesn't match. Out of production.
65	HO	Walthers	#929-500	KGB 7001 to 7039	GH	C	40' Hart Gondola Surprisingly, the Walthers Silver Streak (metal & wood) and Train-Miniature (plastic) models that were advertised as Hart Gondolas were not that good of a match for these prototypes. The truss side sills need to be removed, the frame is very different (GBW cars appear to have a deep fishbelly center sill, similar to Accurail parts), and the side post arrangement doesn't match. Out of production.
66	HO	Walthers	#932-3270	GBW 30 to 39	GB	E	65' Mill Gondola Shorten the Walthers 65' gondola per the 'Two Soo Line Thrall gondolas' article in the April 2001 Railroad Model Craftsman.
67	HO	Walthers	#932-3603	GBW 22000 to 22028	RBL	A	50' North American Ext. Post Insul. Boxcar
68	HO	Walthers	#932-40254	GBW 20 to 29	GB	B	Thrall 53' Gondola A a very close model match. Ready-to-run version of the Walthers #932-5900 kit. Available in a GBW paint scheme from the 1980s.
69	HO	Walthers	#932-4700	GBW 2700 to 2709	XL	A	50' Waffle Box Car Seems to be a good match for these cars.
70	HO	Walthers	#932-4700	GBW 2710 to 2729	XL	A	50' Waffle Box Car Seems to be a good match for these cars. At one time Walthers offered this kit in GBW lettering (#933-4711).
71	HO	Walthers	#932-4771	GBW 22090 to 22091	RBL	A	50' Fruit Growers Express Insulated Box Car
72	HO	Walthers	#932-4771	WRX 9350 , 9351	RBL	A	50' Fruit Growers Express Insulated Box Car
73	HO	Walthers	#932-5350	KGB 190		A	Jordan Spreader The air tank on the back of the spreader should be vertical. The Walthers kit includes the correct air tank.
74	HO	Walthers	#932-5900	GBW 20 to 29	GB	B	53' Thrall Gondola - smooth sides A very close model. The Walthers model is currently out of production.
75	HO	Westerfield	#10600	GBW 4609 to 4647		B	Inside Stake 36' Coal Gondola Fairly close to the GBW prototype.
76	N	Athearn	#ATH10650	GBW 22000 to 22028	RBL	A	50' NACC Box w/Superior Door The model comes with either a Pullman Standard or Stanray (Superior) diagnonal panel roof, use the Stanray version.
77	N	Fox Valley Models	#FVM8000	GBW 7000 to 7049	XM	A	FMC 5347 Cu Ft Single Door Boxcar The Fox Valley Models ready-to-run cars are an exact match. Available in a GBW paint scheme with four different road numbers.
78	N	Fox Valley Models	#FVM8000	GBW 8000 to 8199	XM	A	FMC 5347 Cu Ft Single Door Boxcar The Fox Valley Models ready-to-run cars are an exact match.
79	N	Fox Valley Models	#FVM8000	GBW 8302 to 8424	XM	A	FMC 5347 Cu Ft Single Door Boxcar The Fox Valley Models ready-to-run cars are an exact match.
80	N	Fox Valley Models	#FVM8000	GBW 10100 to 10243	XP	A	FMC 5347 Cu Ft Single Door Boxcar The Fox Valley Models ready-to-run cars are an exact match.
81	N	Fox Valley Models	#FVM8000	GBW 11000 to 11001	XP	A	FMC 5347 Cu Ft Single Door Boxcar The Fox Valley Models ready-to-run cars are an exact match.
82	N	Fox Valley Models	#FVM8000	GBW 16000 to 16299	XP	A	FMC 5347 Cu Ft Single Door Boxcar The Fox Valley Models ready-to-run cars are an exact match.
83	N	Red Caboose	#RN-15600	GBW 200 to 214	LO	A	18-Rib, 4750 Cu.Ft. PS-2CD 3-Bay Covered Hopper Exact match for these pink covered hoppers.
84	N	Trainworx	#1900	GBW 100 to 102	XML	B	Thrall 4 door 86 foot high cube box car A close match for the prototype, except the model has welded sides while the prototype was riveted.
85	O	MTH	#20-98385	KGB 190		A	Jordan Spreader
86	Z	American Z Line	#90903	GBW 200 to 214	LO	A	PS-2 CD 4750 Cu ft. Hopper Exact match.