The Association of American Railroads had been trying to set design standards for freight cars starting in the early 20th century. The early designs were not widely embraced. Many railroads preferred their own designs. By the time the 1937 AAR boxcar was introduced, this had begun to change as each new design standard provided higher capacity, lighter, more durable cars. Just before the United States entry into the World War II, there was a push for a larger interior height boxcar. The first cars were actually built in 1941, but the standard was not set until 1944 due to the war. The new taller cars required new corrugated metal ends to meet the height of the car. These ends were made up of two pieces with the lower panel having 4 ribs while the upper panel has 3 then a space and a final rectangular rib at the top. Called a 4-3-1 (or R-3-4) Improved Dreadnaught end. The 1944 AAR boxcar went on to dominate boxcar products for years to come, with some in service into the 1980's.
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Atlas 20007775 HO Scale 40' 1932 ARA Boxcar Western Maryland WM 27382
Atlas 20007764 HO Scale 40' 1932 ARA Boxcar Chesapeake & Ohio C&O 7443
Walthers Mainline 910-46041 HO Scale 50' ACF Exterior Post Boxcar Grand Trunk Western GTW 517929
Atlas 20006779 HO Scale Evans 53' Double Plug Door Boxcar Plywood Marketing Associates USLX 9040
Atlas 50007101 N Scale 40' 1932 ARA Boxcar Western Maryland WM 28121
