The 2002 release Walthers Budd Baggage product number 6504 is a model of ATSF 3500-3539 (Budd, 1953), 3540-3554 (Budd 1957), and 3650-59 (Budd, 1953). These were used in general service on the principle streamlined trains. Most of these went to Amtrak November 1, 1971. The Walthers kit includes number decals for the 3540-3554 series only. However, any of these above numbers would be accurate. The 3650-3659 Baggage-Messenger group is also apparently identical externally except for the addition of two water drains from the sink and water cooler, a waste shute for the toilet and a messenger star on the side (Tom Cockle).

Andy Sperandeo reports: "I'll identify it positively as being a Santa Fe 3540 series car. These were built by Budd in 1957 featuring the flat "crash" panels on either side of the doors, where fluting tended to be dented by baggage carts, and numbered 3540 through 3554. Originally they had skirts but most, though perhaps not all, had the skirts removed in the 1960s. The Walthers car has a different type of truck and the truck wheelbase is too short - 8 feet instead of 9 - and there are other underbody differences. The body, however, appears to be a good representation of the Santa Fe prototype."

Walthers has announced the release of another version of this car, sans skirts, in late 2002.

How well do these cars shape up? The attached photos are of the car straight out of the box. The metal grabs have not yet been added.

   Click any of the above for enlargements.

For further information, see the Common Traits page.

Prototype photos (Click for enlargements):