O Chicago & NW Grain Door Boxcar

Railroads equipped boxcars with temporary wood gates to carry bulk shipments of loose grain. These "grain doors" allowed the boxcars to be used for any number of other shipments off season. Ultimately, covered hoppers provided a much more efficient means of loading and unloading, and the practice fell out of favor through the 1960s and 70s, although some boxcars remained in this service into the 1980s. These models include opening doors to reveal a wood grain door and simulated load inside.