Elvas Tower: D&RG Class 3a boxcar 2454 - Elvas Tower

The biggest group of all D&RG boxcars was the Class 3, 10-ton, 24' boxcar with link and pin couplers. A total of 2,507 of these cars were built from 1878 to 1883. In addition to being the “standard” D&RG box car for many years, the RGS bought 371, the Silverton RR bought 37, and the Silverton Northern RR received ten of these.

In 1902, because of the new ICC regulations, some of the better Class 3 cars were rebuilt into 20-ton Class 3a cars. This model is one of these cars. Rebuilding consisted of cutting the side sills off flush with the end of the car, adding 20-ton trucks, installing knuckle couplers, converting to “automatic air” brakes, and adding standardized grab irons.

A model of the original Class 3 car with link and pin couplers is also being made and should be uploaded soon.

This model was built from D&RG Class 3 plans, and a Class 3a folio sheet, published in “A Century + Ten of the D&RGW Narrow Gauge Freight Cars, 1871 to1981, 2nd Edition” by Robert Sloan. This publication was also the source of several reference pictures, as well as all historical data.

Howard Saunders made all physics adjustments, applied all lettering, and did all testing. Howard also contributed the screen shot. The model was made using 3D Canvas (now called 3D Crafter), which I recommend highly.

I hope you all enjoy it, Bill