I recently purchased a used HO 40 ft box lettered for the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens RR no. 5121. I have never seen this one before. I can not find out who made it. The only marks on the bottom are FRPUSA. Who made it and is it still available?

-- WES RED (WESRED@PRODIGY.NET), November 16, 2004

Answers

The car you have I believe was a custom run of Front Range Products cars that were done for the New Brookland model railroad and hobby shop in West Columbia, SC. I think there were three car numbers done by Hobby Craft Specialties of North Belmont, NC. The run was only 167 cars and I was fortunate to get all three cars. The shops owner sold out of the cars years ago and I don't think he can even find one for himself now.

-- John Potter (seaboardrrjp@bellsouth.net), November 21, 2004.

If this is like one I saw at a show recently, the kits were custom made for a hobby shop in South Carolina - Columbia maybe? - some years ago. I can't remember which shop and don't know if they are still available.

-- Larry Goolsby (lgoolsby@aphsa.org), November 17, 2004.

From the markings it is a Front Range Products Kit.

-- Gary Riccio (g.riccio@worldnet.att.net), November 17, 2004.