A.C. Gilbert U.S. Military (USM) Steel-sheathed, Single-door & Two-door Box Cars

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

973

Prototype Info

Style:

steel-sheathed, single-door & two-door

Length:

40'

Road Name:

fantasy: A.C. Gilbert

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1956

Road Number(s):

973

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted and lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Parts List and Diagram

Supplemental Part:

Archer Transfer 3D resin rivets (the company recommends O-scale rivets for A.C.G. products)

This photo shows the animation side.

This photo shows the action-trigger side.

Mike Marmer's Car in Action

A 360-degree View of the Car

Operating and Repair

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

25019

Prototype Info

Style:

steel-sheathed, single-door & two-door

Length:

40'

Road Name:

fantasy: A.C. Gilbert

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1960

Road Number(s):

25019

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted and lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Online Article:

Parts List and Diagram

Supplemental Part:

Archer Transfer 3D resin rivets (the company recommends O-scale rivets for A.C.G. products)

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

734

Prototype Info

Style:

steel-sheathed, single-door & two-door

Length:

40'

Road Name:

fantasy: American Flyer Lines

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1950

Road Number(s):

734

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted and lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Supplemental Part:

Archer Transfer 3D resin rivets (the company recommends O-scale rivets for A.C.G. products)

Notes:

This is animated unloading box car that was produced from 1950 through 1954 with link couplers. It comes with four metal cubes/crates/boxes. Note that #974 was identical to #734, except it has knuckle couplers, whereas this one has link couplers.

Note that the model shown in these next three photos has had the couplers converted to knuckle ones (the white model shows the original link couplers with which this car came). This photo shows the side that has the two doors which can be operated.

The other side only has a single, molded-on door.

These next three photos by Rich Abraham show a model that is a rare variation, bought at the original New Haven Gilbert Factory store. It has been authenticated as an original.

Shows The Car In Action

How To Service This Car

Model Manufacturer Info

Manufacturer:

A.C. Gilbert

Manufacturer ID:

25056

Prototype Info

Style:

steel-sheathed, single-door & two-door

Length:

40'

Road Name:

U.S. Military (USM)

Model Info

Gauge:

AF

Introduced:

1959

Road Number(s):

25056

Product Type:

plastic

Finish:

painted and lettered

Wheels:

hi-rail

Couplers:

AF

Supplemental Part:

Archer Transfer 3D resin rivets (the company recommends O-scale rivets for A.C.G. products)

Notes:

The USM box car and Rocket Launcher flat car was produced in 1959 only and has two variations. The first variation has door guides on the box car fastened with tabs, as shown in the photo. The second variation has door guides that are fastened with rivets (see second photo, where the two cars both have these types of door guides). The 25056 was the only two-car item sold as a single unit. Secondly, the #25056 featured two operating cars that operated together by using a single track trip and control button. This was achieved by using a two-wire cable between the two cars. The two cars in this set were actually modified versions of earlier operating cars such as the #957 or #973 box cars and the second was a modified version of the #25045 Rocker Launcher flat car. The #25056 was not sold separately in 1959 but was the featured item in the #20525 Defender Set. In recent years, Lionel reissued the Defender Set that included the combination operating boxcar and rocket launcher.