Description
The 1930’s ushered in a “sea change” in the concept of passenger car design. As the United States was striving to come out of the Great Depression, images of renewed power and progress became those of speed, technical innovation, and forward motion exemplified by the Streamline Moderne school of industrial design. Aerodynamic shapes such as horizonal fluting and rounded or curved surfaces made of smooth, bright materials such as welded and polished stainless steel began to replace the staid and solid concepts that had governed passenger car designs since the turn of the century. While safe, smooth riding, and often quite luxurious, the riveted side framing and cover plates and massive steel underframes (supporting a floor of poured concrete in most cases) could cause a typical “Heavyweight” passenger car to weigh as much as 1 ton per linear foot!
The “Streamliners”, by contrast, eliminated heavy underframes and adopted methods of construction where the entire car body and roof contributed to the structural integrity – much the same as what is now referred to as “unibody” construction. The use of lighter materials both inside and out also contributed to these cars weighing as much as 20-25 tons less than that of a comparable heavyweight. Gleaming aluminum fixtures, cut and frosted glass, and even decorative celluloids replaced the dark woods and veneers and heavy cast iron and brass fittings heretofore common to car interiors – further reducing weight and contributing to a modern, glamourous style which was readily accepted by the traveling public. The lighter designs proved to be much more economical as well and were adopted by Pullman-Standard and a newcomer to passenger car design – the Budd Company of Philadelphia.The “Streamliners”, by contrast, eliminated heavy underframes and adopted methods of construction where the entire car body and roof contributed to the structural integrity – much the same as what is now referred to as “unibody” construction. The use of lighter materials both inside and out also contributed to these cars weighing as much as 20-25 tons less than that of a comparable heavyweight. Gleaming aluminum fixtures, cut and frosted glass, and even decorative celluloids replaced the dark woods and veneers and heavy cast iron and brass fittings heretofore common to car interiors – further reducing weight and contributing to a modern, glamourous style which was readily accepted by the traveling public. The lighter designs proved to be much more economical as well and were adopted by Pullman-Standard and a newcomer to passenger car design – the Budd Company of Philadelphia.
Since 1913, Budd was a well-known supplier of auto body stampings but by 1930, rapidly became a major force in railroad passenger car design. Budd was among the first to grasp the potential of stainless steel, however the inability of stainless steel to be fabricated with normal welding techniques was an issue. Budd’s chief engineer, Colonel Earl J.W. Ragsdale, spent five years developing the key process needed to make stainless into a viable structural material: the patented Shotweld electric welding process. From the groundbreaking Pioneer Zephyrs in 1934 through the Amfleets of the1980s, Budd designed cars have carved out a unique and lasting legacy which carries on today in cars produced by Bombardier.Since 1913, Budd was a well-known supplier of auto body stampings but by 1930, rapidly became a major force in railroad passenger car design. Budd was among the first to grasp the potential of stainless steel, however the inability of stainless steel to be fabricated with normal welding techniques was an issue. Budd’s chief engineer, Colonel Earl J.W. Ragsdale, spent five years developing the key process needed to make stainless into a viable structural material: the patented Shotweld electric welding process. From the groundbreaking Pioneer Zephyrs in 1934 through the Amfleets of the1980s, Budd designed cars have carved out a unique and lasting legacy which carries on today in cars produced by Bombardier.
FeaturesFeatures
The perfect match for our E6 LocomotivesThe perfect match for our E6 Locomotives
Based on Budd designsBased on Budd designs
Intricately Detailed, Durable ABS BodiesIntricately Detailed, Durable ABS Bodies
Stamped Metal FloorsStamped Metal Floors
Detailed Car UndercarriageDetailed Car Undercarriage
Colorful, Attractive Paint SchemesColorful, Attractive Paint Schemes
Metal Wheels and AxlesMetal Wheels and Axles
Die-Cast 4-Wheel TrucksDie-Cast 4-Wheel Trucks
Fast-Angle Wheel SetsFast-Angle Wheel Sets
Needle-Point AxlesNeedle-Point Axles
(2) Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers(2) Operating Die-Cast Metal Couplers
O Scale Kadee-Compatible Coupler Mounting PadsO Scale Kadee-Compatible Coupler Mounting Pads
Constant Voltage Overhead LED Interior LightingConstant Voltage Overhead LED Interior Lighting
End-of-Car DiaphragmsEnd-of-Car Diaphragms
Separate Metal HandrailsSeparate Metal Handrails
Detailed Car InteriorsDetailed Car Interiors
Sliding Baggage Car DoorsSliding Baggage Car Doors
Detailed Brake WheelDetailed Brake Wheel
1:48 Scale Proportions1:48 Scale Proportions
Unit Measures: 19″ x 2 7/16″ x 3 1/2″Unit Measures: 19″ x 2 7/16″ x 3 1/2″
Operates On O-42 CurvesOperates On O-42 Curves
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