"VS" Virginia Midland (HO Scale 1:87) 53' HIGH CUBE 6-42-6 single corrugated container. JTC# 9530231

HO Scale 1:87, JTC #9530231 Virginia Midland "VS" 53' HIGH CUBE 6-42-6 corrugated containers. (HO Scale 1:87)

AVMU 538842

Jacksonville Terminal Company, JTC, is introducing a NEW line of products called the Visionary Series, or VS. This is not a new concept to the industry but is new to JTC because we have been mainly focusing on producing prototype models of shipping and transport companies. We also want to give modelers the opportunity to have unique model pieces. This opens the door for those famous model railroads people admire, talk about, and want to have a little piece of history for their own layout or collection.
The Appalachian Lines: Several factors came into play in the formation of the Appalachian Lines. Model railroaders Tony Koester and Steve King had quickly become friends as they developed their interest in proto-freelancing (developing a freelanced railroad based on prototype railroads and practices) and railroad operations. The V&O, of Allen McClelland, was greatly influenced by prototype railroads even as they continued to move forward while the V&O remained in 1958. This desire to stay up-to-date with real railroading was reflected in Allen McClelland's interest in prototype modeling. Heavily influenced by repeat visits to Appalachian coal country, and the realization that their three small regional railroads would face challenges surviving the real-world economy of the 1970s, Tony Koester suggested that Allen's V&O, his Allegheny Midland and King's Virginia Midland form the Appalachian Lines. Modeled after the Chessie System and the SCL/L&N Family Lines, each railroad would retain its own corporate identity and color scheme but would follow a standardized layout for paint schemes. The V&O would keep its deep blue and white, the AM would adopt a bright red and yellow, and the VM would go with yellow and deep green. Although the Appalachian Lines was initially stated to be formed in 1976, the actual amalgamation took place almost a decade earlier in 1968. Like Chessie System and Family Lines, the Appalachian Lines name would be used in marketing and advertising, allowing the three railroads to pool their resources to remain competitive. Not only was this a great excuse to use "run-through" power from connecting AM and VM roads, but it also helped strengthen the idea that all three railroads were part of a larger system, and in fact connected to the national railroad network. Thanks to regular coverage in both Railroad Model Craftsman (of which Koester was editor at the time) and Model Railroader magazines, this is probably the most well-known period of the V&O's operations. (from Wikipedia)
JTC reached out to the owners of the AL railroads about adding AL models to the VS Series and received a positive response. We intend to produce these in N and HO scales. This release imagines the Appalachian Lines still operating as an independent Group in the ‘current’ era, hustling products in and out of Appalachia, connecting to the rest of the country through various agreements with other RRs. JTC presents these HO Scale Appalachian Lines 53’ domestic container models.

The Visionary Series will initially be sold directly through JTC's website under Visionary Series and clearly marked on our product labels. There will be a collection page with additional information as we continue to grow this product line. We will distribute to our national distributors or direct dealers upon their request. Our production will be limited, so look for some unique and interesting schemes coming down the track! These HO SCALE models feature IBC connecting pins and our Magnetic connection system and are decorated with detailed prototype ‘Style’ printing. 
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Features:

• All New Tooling; 6-42-6 corrugated sides
• 5 different doors and two fronts tooled to match prototype photos.
• IBC(Inter-Box Connecting pins) in scale ISO 40' locations
• JTC Magnetic connecting system: magnets on bottom & metal top plates
• Detailed printing as per photographs