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Athearn produces three different models of the Santa Fe Express boxcars. All are of the Fe-24 design.

A new set of models was released in 2000 which has the car in coach green with the map & slogan billboards. This paint was only used from 1941-44. This model was released by Athearn in 12 numbers for each of the 5 billboard names. These cars were renumbered beginning in 1943 and repainted as the model shown below. By 1945, all had been repainted and renumbered. The number series included 10000-10199. For correctness, the roof should be black.

Dean Hale collection, from the Head End Car book.

The model shown above is fairly accurate for the 1943-65 time period. All express boxes wore this paint by March, 1945. These cars are in the 4100-4399 series. Only car number 4159 is available at this time from Athearn. ATSF experimented with a variety of trucks on the above cars. To be accurate this model should have black roofs and roof walks.

Then in 1961, a new paint scheme appeared.

Dean Hale collection, from Head End Cars.

Athearn Model

Tom Chenoweth collection, from Head End Cars.

Athearn Model

Beginning in October, 1961, ATSF used the coach green paint with the giant Santa Fe logo on the side. The Athearn Special Edition product 2306 has the pair with the giant Santa Fe logo on the side. The gray paint also began in 1961 with roller bearing cars and was standard by 1965 for all repainted express box cars. This paint lasted until Amtrak in 1971 when the cars were moved to general freight service. For correctness, the green car above should have black roof and underbody and the gray car should have dark gray underbody and trucks. The Athearn models catch the idea but are not totally correct.

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