Factory Direct Hobbies

In the 1960s, boxcars grew to 86 foot long hi-cubes to move high priority and oversized automobile parts. The first one was built by American Car & Foundry in 1963, with production really kicking off in '64. With double sliding doors on either side and a vast amount of storage space within, these cars could be found in a variety of vibrant colors on many railroads that served America's auto industry. These cars still populate American rails today, many still showcasing their fallen flag paint schemes!

Bluford Shops' N Scale 86' Auto Parts Double Door Box Car features (from Bluford Shops themself):
This set of releases will feature a new draft gear design that accommodates 1015 and compatible couplers (included), our latest 70-ton roller bearing trucks, and Fox Valley Models metal wheels. The minimum radius is 11" (note the old "lift kit" for even tighter curves has been discontinued.) They also include separate wire grab irons and etched metal platforms on the ends. The draft gear is mounted to the body but has a spring centered swing action that both resists string-lining the train pulling through curves and resists the trucks climbing the rail during shoving moves.

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/search?q=bluford+shops+n+86%26%23x27%3B+auto+parts&stock_status=pfs-status%3AIn+Stock

Chevy's Nova was produced periodically between 1961-88 as compact and subcompact vehicle. It went through a quick development cycle, with the first production model rolling out of Willow Run, Michigan after 18 months. It was designed to be a back-to-basics compact car with little to no experimentation. Chevy's General Manager Ed Cole described the Nova as "maximum functionalism with thrift." By the fourth generation, the Nova was changed quite a bit. It featured new sheet metal with styling inspired by European sedans. Front disc brakes and steel-belted radial tires now came as standard along with cut-pile carpeting. Speedometers were larger and had easier-to-read graphics, windshields had more glass area, and the front-door armrests were redesigned to have integral pull bars. It was offered as a straight six or V8 and as a 2-door coupe, 3-door hatchback, or 4-door sedan.

MPC's 1:25 scale kit of the 1979 Chevy Nova features:
-1:25 scale, skill level 2, paint & glue required
-96 parts
-Molded in white, clear, and some chrome-plated parts
-Black vinyl tires
-Metal axle
-Built size: 7.625 inches long
-Ages 14+

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/products/mpc-1003-1979-chevy-nova-skill-2

The American Railway Association was among several other industry trade groups representing railroads advocating for standardization, new equipment and infrastructure, and improved safety. In 1934, ARA joined other industry trade groups to form the Association of American Railroads (AAR) which is still around today! Among the new equipment established by the ARA/AAR was the 70-Ton 4-Bay Hopper, with nearly 12,000 cars built between 1926 and 1930. These cars were enlisted to haul coal across the country up until their retirement around the 1970s.

Broadway Limited Imports' N Scale ARA 70-ton 4-Bay Hopper Car features:
-Accurately scaled from prototype blueprints
-Fine rivet detail throughout both the interior and exterior
-Wire grab irons for enhanced realism
-Separately applied brake line and brake hoses
-Two brake housing options: Ajax and Miner
-Three correctly applied brake wheel options: Ajax, Miner, and Modern
-Brake shoe and brake beam detail on trucks
-Metal wheelsets with prototypical wheel face contours
-Factory-equipped with (2) operating Micro-Trains® compatible couplers
-Removable ABS coal load with fully detailed and decorated interior
-Prototypically accurate decoration and road-specific details where applicable
-6-pack sets include six uniquely numbered cars
-Composition: ABS
-Compatible with Code 55, 70, and 80 track
-Minimum operating radius: 9.75 in.
-Coupler to coupler length: 3.5 inches
-Model weight: 0.6 ounces

📦PRE-ORDER BY JULY 16th, 2026:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/broadway-limited-imports-n-scale-ara-70-ton-4-bay-hopper-cars

Moving livestock by rail dates back to the 1830s with open topped cars that had partially enclosed sides. By 1860, boxcars with wood or iron-barred ventilation doors became the standard. Cattle were herded onto livestock trains or placed within a manifest as a high priority block and moved to eastern markets for processing. Along the way, animals would be fed and watered, but conditions were still less than ideal with a noisy, cramped, and rough ride, leading to unfortunate and unnecessary injuries and loss of life. Little attention was given to the improvement of stock cars. The addition of a drovers caboose to livestock trains improved conditions, with dedicated crews providing food and water to the animals. Experimental bi-level stock cars were developed in the 1960s, but stock cars largely faded away by the 1970s-80s with the introduction of mechanical re**er cars to move meat, and trucks taking over the movement of livestock. Union Pacific briefly experimented moving pigs by rail at the front of intermodal trains in the late 80's, but this was discontinued in 1995.

Broadway Limited Imports' N Scale 40' Wood Stock Car features:
-Based on the Pennsylvania Railroad K7A stock car design
-Sound-equipped versions sold individually; non-sound versions sold in two-packs
-Integrated motion-activated sound system (sound-equipped versions)
-Authentic livestock sounds for prototypical sound-equipped versions
-Holiday-themed sound cars feature custom seasonal audio
-Motion-responsive sound intensity for added realism
-Adjustable sensitivity and volume using included magnetic tool
-Operates on both DC and DCC layouts (no DCC sound control)
-Precision paint, color, and lettering schemes
-Accurately modeled with numerous separately applied details
-and more!

📦PRE-ORDER BY: SEPTEMBER 3rd, 2026:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/broadway-limited-imports-n-scale-40-wood-stock-car

The AD-1 (renamed to A-1D through A-1J after 1962) was built from 1948-57 as an American attack aircraft. 713 AD-6's were built. They were equipped with 3 dive brakes, had a centerline station stressed for 3,500 lbs. of ordnance, 30 in. in diameter, a combination 14 in. (360 mm) and 30 in. (760 mm) bomb ejector and low/high altitude bomb director. It primarily saw use by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and the United States Air Force. However, it also saw use with the British Royal Navy, French Air Force, and Republic of Vietnam Air Force. Designed to be a long-range and high performance dive bomber, the Skyraider commonly took off from aircraft carriers for use in the Korean War and Vietnam War. By 1973, the US retired their piston-engine Skyraiders in favor of more modern jet aircraft.

Tamiya's 1:48 scale kit of the Douglas Skyraider AD-6 (A-1H) features:
-Engine cowl flaps
-Wing flaps
-Dive brakes may be posed in open or closed positions.
-Parts are included for ordnance such as 250lb bombs and 5-inch rockets to depict a fully-armed machine.
-One pilot figure and three marking options are also included.

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/products/tamiya-61058-douglas-skyrader-ad-6-1-48

Trailer-on-flatcar service has its origins dating back to 1870s with P.T. Barnum Circus wagons loaded onto flatcars for transport across the US. In the early 1900s, several experimental TOFC services were trialed across railroads. Chicago Great Western pioneered the modern Piggyback system as we know it in 1936, running between St. Paul, Minnesota and Chicago, Illinois. Throughout the 1950s as the American road network grew rapidly, TOFC service really hit the road with the likes of PRR's TrucTrain, B&O's TrailerJet, D&H's Apollo, among other North American railroads. Today TOFC trains are some of the hottest on the mainline, getting priority over most freight trains as they race along at track speed, often mixed with intermodal container traffic.

Lionel's O Scale PS-4 50' TOFC Flatcar with 2 20' Piggyback Trailers features:
FLATCARS FEATURE:
-Die-cast frame
-Die-cast trucks
-Operating couplers with hidden tabs
-Wood deck
-Separately applied details including collapsible trailer hitch
-Interchangeable open or closed end doors
TRAILERS FEATURE:
-Rubber tires and mud flaps
-Opening rear doors

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/search?q=lionel+o+ps-4+tofc*&stock_status=pfs-status%3AIn+Stock&type=product

The American Railway Association was among several other industry trade groups representing railroads advocating for standardization, new equipment and infrastructure, and improved safety. Among the new standardized equipment was the 1932 40 ft. steel boxcar. After five prototypes were tested, the 1932 design was settled upon and over 14,500 cars were built for 23 railroads. This design eventually evolved into the 1937, Modified 1937, and post-war AAR boxcars. These cars were enlisted to haul all sorts of freight across the country up until their retirement around the 1960s-70s.

Atlas' HO Scale 1932 ARA 40' Steel Boxcar features:
-Accurate painting and printing
-Friction-bearing trucks
-AccuMate couplers

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/search?q=atlas+ho+1932+ara+steel+boxcar&stock_status=pfs-status%3AIn+Stock

EMD's GP9 was a highly popular road switcher first built in 1954. Looking to extend their runaway sales numbers, EMD introduced the Phase II variant, built from 1955-57, coming with mechanical and electronic upgrades. These first generation diesels made a name for themselves on mainline and local freights along with switching and branchline duties. Some railroads opted to chop the high hood in later years for better crew visibility. The GP9's were mostly retired by the 1980s, but many survive at museums and in revenue service on shortlines and regionals.

Walthers' HO Scale EMD GP9 Phase II with Chopped Nose features:
-One time run of these road numbers, order now - limited quantity available!
-Standard high short hood
-Based on as-built units produced from 1955 to 1957 (Phase II)
-Limited edition - one time run of these roadnumbers!
-Scale width hood with correct contours
-With or without dynamic brakes as appropriate
-Front and rear footboards or front plow and flat rear pilot as appropriate
-See-through steps
-Same powerful drive as WalthersProto(R) locos featuring:
-Five-pole skew-wound motor
-14 to 1 gear ratio
-Helical-cut gears for quiet operation and easy multiple unit operation
-All-wheel drive and electrical pickup
-Machined brass flywheel
-Heavy die-cast metal chassis
-Constant and directional warm white
-Correct size RP-25 metal wheels
-LED headlights
-DCC-ready with 21-pin (mtc) DCC plug

📦PRE-ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/collections/walthers-ho-scale-emd-gp9-phase-ii-with-chopped-nose

GE's ES44AC was the first in the Evolution Series, better known as GEVO. Succeeding the Dash 9 and AC4400CW, the GEVO was first introduced in 2003 in response to stricter emission standards by the EPA. The ES44AC produced 4,400 hp via the GE GEVO-12 prime mover. The ES40DC was built from 2004-08 utilizing DC traction, derated to 4000 horsepower. The GEVO has since been upgraded to the ET44AC, becoming a cleaner burning diesel to meet Tier 4 EPA standards. All in all, the GEVO has become one of the most popular and revolutionary locomotives in American history, with exports going across the world!

Broadway Limited Imports' HO Scale GE ES44AC features:
-Road-specific details
-Individually controllable lights
-Paragon4 Sound & Control System featuring ROLLING THUNDER
-Integral Dual-Mode Decoder with Back EMF for superb slow-speed operation in DC and DCC
-Variable intensity, user-adjustable smoke
-Precision drive mechanism engineered for heavy towing and smooth slow-speed operation
-All-wheel electrical pick-up
-ABS body with die-cast chassis for maximum tractive effort
-Premium caliber painting
-Prototypically accurate paint schemes and road numbers
-Many separately applied details such as handrails, grab irons, horn, bell, wipers, and etched metal grills
-Operating smoke unit
-and more!

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/search?q=broadway+limited+imports+ho+es44ac&scale=Scale_HO&stock_status=pfs-status%3AIn+Stock

In 1938, the A.16E1 was built as a prototype British cruiser tank, but the British were looking for something cheaper and lighter weight. The Crusader line was the result, entering production in 1940 with the Mk I. It was designed to be faster than infantry tanks and equipped with lighter armor and a larger 6 pound (57 mm) gun. Meanwhile, the heavier Cavalier, Centaur and Cromwell cruiser tanks were delayed so as a stopgap, the the Mk III was developed in May 1942. The turret was given an extractor fan to remove fumes from gunfire, the crew was reduced to three, and the auxiliary turret space turned into an ammo storage compartment. It was protected with 51 mm armor, equipped with a 57 mm QF 6-pounder gun and 1 or 2 × 7.92 mm Besa machine guns. They first saw action at the Second Battle of El Alamein in October 1942.

Tamiya's 1:48 scale kit of the Crusader III, AA Mk III features:
-Brand new molded parts for additional armor and side skirts.
-Unique open turret features 20mm cannons, ammunition drums, and other internal details.
-Die-cast chassis gives an added sense of volume for enhanced realism.
-Easy to assemble tracks feature one-piece straight sections with realistic sag effect.
-2 types of markings included.

📦ORDER HERE:
https://factorydirecthobbies.com/products/tamiya-32546-crusader-mk-iii-a-a-tank-1-48