{"product_id":"preorder-athearn-ho-2586-60-pullman-common-standard-postal-car-unlettered-2-pack-146-62","title":"PREORDER Athearn HO 2586 60' Pullman Common Standard Postal Car, Unlettered (2-Pack)","description":"ATHEARN 60ft PULLMAN COMMON STANDARD POSTAL CAR PROTOTYPE AND BACKGROUND INFO:\u003cbr\u003eIn the early 20th century, there was a need to replace wooden passenger and head-end cars with steel construction. Wood construction had two major issues. It is a combustible product, especially when placed near a heat source, such as a stove used for heating. It also lacks the strength of steel. Wreckage of wooden passenger and head-end cars has resulted in many deaths. Wood lacks the strength to prevent the  “telescoping ” of rail cars during a wreck, significantly increasing the casualties.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIn 1905, the Southern Pacific began developing an experimental steel passenger car, built on I-Beams and cast body bolsters. Steel side sills and vertical posts, along with a horizontal belt rail formed the framework for a strong girder type of construction. Metal plates were attached to the girder sides. An arched roof consisting of overlapping rolled steel plates provided great lateral strength between the car sides. Further development of the design included weight reduction, the use of a cement flooring, and insulation application.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDuring this developmental period, the Southern Pacific was controlled by E. H. Harriman, who also had or acquired acquired control of the Union Pacific, Illinois Central, and the Chicago \u0026amp; Alton. These railroads, often referred to as the Harriman  “Associated Lines ”, adopted a  “Common Standard ” design of these cars and other railroad equipment. This  “Common Standard ” design eliminated the duplication of engineering time while lowering the cost of purchased equipment. With few exceptions, the 60' Common Standard Postal Cars were built by Pullman Standard.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGenerally, the  “Common Standard ” postal cars were designed to expedite the handling of mail by postal clerks. The interior of these prototype cars often featured letter cases (referred to as  “pigeon hole ” cases on Pullman prototype plans), pouch racks, bins, drawers and sorting tables. A mail slot was often located on each side of the car. Sometimes skylights were located above the letter cases to supplement the dim lighting provided by early overhead electrical or gas lamps. Mail sack  “Catcher Arms ” were typically located at a door on each side of the car so that mail sacks could be picked up  “on the fly ” without stopping the train. Depending on the volume of mail, additional postal cars could be found in a consist to be used for the storage of mail. A toilet, stove and a container for water would normally be provided for the comfort of the clerks, who typically handled first class mail, newspapers, and parcel post materials.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe use of trucks and airplanes for transporting mail increased significantly in the 1960's. At that time, postal cars started fading from American railroad history, but their use remains as a significant part in the history of mail service.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eATHEARN 60ft PULLMAN COMMON STANDARD POSTAL CAR FEATURES:\u003cbr\u003eArched overlapping roof panels with simulated rivets\u003cbr\u003ePintsch gas vents and piping\u003cbr\u003eRoof vents, paired 8 ” diameter\u003cbr\u003eOverhead trainline conduit\u003cbr\u003eStove smokestack\u003cbr\u003eDrip strips over side and end doors\u003cbr\u003eFormed wire grabs and ladder rests\u003cbr\u003eMagnetically attached roof for easier removal\u003cbr\u003eMail slot on each side of car\u003cbr\u003eMail catcher arms on each side of car (omitted for Postal Storage cars)\u003cbr\u003ePressed Steel Doors or Wooden Doors (per prototype)\u003cbr\u003eDiaphragm on ends\u003cbr\u003eStirrup steps\u003cbr\u003eTwo underframe versions:  “As-Built ” underframe with gas tanks (4) per prototype, or  “Modernized ” underframe with battery box per prototype\u003cbr\u003eBrake cylinder \u0026amp; triple valve\u003cbr\u003eAir tank\u003cbr\u003eGenerator (body-hung)\u003cbr\u003eMcHenry scale knuckle-spring couplers\u003cbr\u003eSix-wheel trucks\u003cbr\u003eWindow glazing\u003cbr\u003eInterior\u003cbr\u003eWeighted for optimal performance\u003cbr\u003e18 ” minimum radius","brand":"Athearn","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42187361878098,"sku":"ATH-2586-PRE","price":14.66,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0581\/3410\/2098\/files\/ATH-2586_A0_PEG3DAG9.jpg?v=1784736298","url":"https:\/\/modeltrainstuff.com\/products\/preorder-athearn-ho-2586-60-pullman-common-standard-postal-car-unlettered-2-pack-146-62","provider":"Model Train Stuff","version":"1.0","type":"link"}