Mid 2024, the Nutmeg Division surveyed its members for interest in a limited run freight car. The majority of the respondents reported as modeling in HO scale and the most-modeled era being 1940-1960. A follow-up survey narrowed the focus to a 40′ steel boxcar lettered for the freelance Nutmeg Onion Company:
Wethersfield is the home of the Wethersfield red onion, and was once known as “Oniontown”. Since we hold the majority of our meetings there, it seems appropriate for our first special edition run to pay homage to this unique chapter in Connecticut history.
By October of 2024, the order was placed for 48 special Nutmeg Division HO scale boxcars from Accurail. About two months later, the manufacturer sent a photo of a finished boxcar:
The cars arrived ahead of Amherst Railway Society’s annual Railroad Hobby Show at the end of January 2025. On Sunday morning January 26, the Nutmeg Division presented NMRA President Gordy Robinson and NER President Ed O’Rourke each with one of the boxcars in honor of the NMRA 90 Years celebration and the excellent strides the NMRA has made under their leadership:
We are pleased to report that all of the Nutmeg Onion boxcars have been sold! Our thanks go out to all who supported the division and purchased a boxcar. Stay tuned for our next divisional project! (We’re already researching options, so be sure to provide your feedback on the surveys.)
In the meantime, to those that did pick up one of the Onion Co. boxcars, share your builds with us! We’d love to see what details you’ve added, how you’ve weathered them, and how they fit into your model railroad. Find us on Facebook or email our Social Media Lead to share your work with other Nutmeg members!