Hello: I recently acquired a 50' double door automobile box car. It apparently started life as an Athearn 1309 undec. It was painted into a fictional railroad called Pacific Southern. I do not nornally buy fantasy cars, but this one was so striking that I couldn't resist. This car was painted in a dark blue with silver roof,ends,doors and lettering with the road number 1983. Most likely the number represented the year it was done. The printing on this car was very good. I imagine this car was done for a club show. I know there has been a ton of fantasy paint jobs over the years but I thought this one deserved mention. If anyone knows of this car or where it came from I'd like to hear about it. Thanks Al

Hello all: Another newbie here. A little about me. I have been buying freight cars for at least fifteen years, I think it's a disease. I am now producing a line of custom dec cars.  Biggest problem with the custom dec is supply of blank cars considering Horizon Hobby's policies. But, that's another topic for another day.  I am trying to gather information about Crown Products. They put out a very nice line of freight cars about forty years ago. They were supposed to be a line of inexpensive cars. The couple of cars I have right now are as good or better than Athearn was at that time. They were almost a duplicate of Athearn with a couple of improvments. The box cars had much better door and door track detail, the stirrups were finer and the graphics were as good or better than Athearn at that time. They were sold in blister packs off hanging racks. They seemed to drop off the face of the planet. So far, I can not trace them beyond their last address at Woodbury Heights NJ. Any information about this company would be appreciated. Thanks for any help. Regards, Al al@customrail.com