I try to stick to 1950s Canadian freight, but I always make room for my Hot Wheels-themed boxcar—it’s totally out of place, but my kids love spotting it on the layout.
I also picked up a vintage Coca-Cola gondola at a swap meet once. Doesn’t fit the era or the road, but there’s just something nostalgic about it. It’s become kind of a “guest star” during ops sessions.
Sometimes the oddballs are what spark the most conversation—and fun!
Not every freight or passenger car fits neatly into our era, road name, or region… but sometimes, those oddballs are the most fun.
Do you have a quirky piece of rolling stock that doesn’t match the rest of your collection but still makes regular appearances? Maybe a circus car, a fantasy-themed boxcar, or a promotional wagon that defies your usual prototype?
