Micro-Mark Box Car Red Paint, 20ml

• Classic reddish-brown color used extensively on U.S. freight cars from the 1870s to the mid-20th century
• Rich, earthy tone ideal for boxcars, tankers, flatcars, and maintenance equipment
• Pairs well with Engine Black, Reefer Yellow, and Tarnished Black for authentic contrast
• Slightly muted to reflect sun-faded, grime-darkened surfaces typical of real-world rolling stock
• Made in the USA

Description
Box Car Red is a warm, brownish-red tone rooted in railroad history. It replicates the iconic oxide-based coatings used on freight cars throughout North America. This color reflects the effects of weather, time, and rail grime—perfect for both clean factory-new and weathered, road-worn looks. It works equally well on wooden and steel rolling stock, and adds an unmistakably realistic tone to any train layout or diorama.

Box Car Red is included in the following sets:
• Item #29384 Railroad Model Color Paint Set
• Item #29433 Micro-Mark 89-Piece Acrylic Paint Set

Color Description

Box Car Red is a medium-to-dark red-brown with a matte finish and low reflectivity—just like the aged, iron oxide paint it was based on. It mimics real-life freight car hues and offers an excellent foundation for drybrushing, weathering powders, and washes.

The History of Box Car Red

Box Car Red traces back to the mid-1800s, when early American railroads began using iron oxide pigments to protect wooden railcars. These pigments were cheap, abundant, and naturally resistant to moisture and rot. Over time, the color became a standardized symbol of freight railroading in the U.S.

Why This Red?

• Practicality: Iron oxide-based paints were durable and inexpensive
• Preservation: They protected wood and metal from rust and weather damage
• Standardization: By the early 1900s, railroads adopted Box Car Red as a practical and unified color for freight stock across the continent

Regional and Era-Based Variation

• Early Box Car Red tended to be darker and browner
• Later applications shifted slightly toward brighter red-orange tones
• Weathering caused enormous variation—sun fading, soot, and dust created a wide range of red-brown shades in service

Modern Legacy

Although modern freight cars often feature bright logos or different paint systems, Box Car Red remains iconic, especially for model railroaders, historic restorations, and museum railroads. It evokes the golden age of steam and early diesel freight hauling.

Modeling Use Cases

• Rolling Stock: Boxcars, hoppers, tankers, cabooses
• Maintenance-of-Way Equipment: Cranes, tool cars, generators
• Buildings & Scenery: Freight sheds, loading docks, rail-side structures
• Weathering Projects: Add grime, soot, or rust to replicate heavy use
• Historic Dioramas: Steam-era or early 20th-century freight scenes

Tip

Apply a light drybrush of Reefer Gray or Depot Buff to replicate sun-bleached surfaces, or layer with black or brown washes to emphasize age and grit.

Absolutely! Here's the revised explanation of a boxcar, now including how many boxcars a locomotive could typically pull:

What Is a Boxcar?

A boxcar is a fully enclosed railroad freight car designed to carry a wide variety of cargo that needs protection from the elements. It's one of the most versatile and iconic railcars in North American railroading history.

Key Characteristics

• Enclosed Design: Boxcars have solid walls, a roof, and sliding doors on one or both sides. This protects cargo from weather, theft, and damage.
• Versatile Cargo: Used for transporting general freight—everything from lumber, canned goods, and appliances to paper, packaged foods, textiles, and tools.
• Sliding Side Doors: Designed for loading and unloading at docks using forklifts, ramps, or manual labor.
• Standardized Dimensions: Most traditional boxcars are 40 to 50 feet long, though some modern versions exceed 60 feet.

Historical Background

Boxcars first appeared in the mid-1800s and became the dominant freight car type by the early 20th century. Their distinctive reddish-brown color (now known as "Box Car Red") came from iron oxide-based paints, which were cheap, weather-resistant, and easy to apply.

Throughout the steam and early diesel eras, boxcars were essential to freight operations, found on nearly every train. While more specialized cars have since emerged, boxcars remain in use today for certain types of cargo that still benefit from general protection.

How Many Boxcars Can a Locomotive Pull?

The number of boxcars a locomotive can pull depends on several factors, including engine power, terrain, car weight, and braking system. The Steam Era from 1800s to 1940s would typically pull 20 to 50 boxcars per engine and often had multiple engines.  Early Diesel Era from 1950s to 1970s were 60 to 100 boxcars depending on the terrain and load.  Modern Freight 1980s until now have 100 to 200 boxcars using multiple locomotives. 

Example: A single modern diesel-electric locomotive like an EMD SD70ACe can pull over 100 loaded boxcars on flat terrain, or more when combined with helper units.

Why Boxcars Are a Model Railroader’s Favorite

• Instantly recognizable silhouette
• Countless railroad paint schemes and eras
• Ideal for weathering, graffiti, or prototypical freight consists
• Central to any steam- or early diesel-era layout
• Suitable for switching operations and yard scenes

The record for the most boxcars (or freight cars in general) pulled by a single train was set in Australia and is unmatched globally:

World Record: Longest and Heaviest Freight Train

• Operator: BHP Iron Ore
• Location: Western Australia
• Date: June 21, 2001
• Train Type: Iron ore train (using ore wagons, similar in form to boxcars but heavier and specialized)

This train pulled 682 ore cars with 8 locomotives distributed throughout the train using Distributed Power Units or DPUs.  The train length was 4.57 miles (7.35 kilometers) and it weighed over 99,000 tons