60' Gunderson High Cube Box Car

Prototype Information

The Gunderson 7538 boxcar was introduced in 2012 for BNSF, which received nearly 600 units. This car featured a 7,538 cubic-foot capacity, a single 12-foot plug door, and a smooth side profile. A distinctive stirrup step below the door set it apart visually. Designed for high-capacity service, the 7538 was used primarily in general merchandise and paper service.

The Gunderson 7550 followed in 2016, ordered by TTX in much larger quantities. This version featured a 7,550 cubic-foot capacity and twin 8-foot plug doors, making it well-suited for bulky or palletized freight. Unlike the 7538, the 7550 had grid-style side panels with vertical stiffeners and lacked the door stirrup. It became a common sight across North America in paper, building materials, and consumer goods service.

Both models were built by Gunderson, a Greenbrier company, and shared modern design elements like high-cube roofs, plug doors, and Stanray roofs. While the 7538 served as an early high-capacity design, the 7550 became the standard for large-scale fleet expansion, especially for TTX.