Developed in 1884 as an improved means for transporting chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other fowl, Poultry Transport Cars were crucial in delivering favorites to the dinner table through the 1950s. These “henhouses on wheels” were designed specifically for the protection and comfort of the animals being transported, and featured wire mesh sides with multiple levels of individual coups, each fitted with feed and water troughs. An attendant traveled on board in the central compartment to feed and tend to the animals throughout their journey, often living in the space for up to a week as the train made its way across the country. Such was the relative comfort for the fowl being transported, that many owners opted to give names to their cars - a light-hearted nod to the luxurious named Pullman coaches of the era. Live poultry trains reached the height of their popularity in the early 20th century, and "Turkey Specials" would continue to run in the days approaching Thanksgiving and Christmas until the last examples of this unique car were withdrawn in 1956. The Bachmann Poultry Transport Car allows you to rekindle the history surrounding these unique rolling stock items in HO scale, coming with see-through siding featuring a printed mesh finish, inserts depicting chicken or turkey cargo, an attendant service door, and quality components including E-Z Mate® Mark II couplers and blackened metal wheels.
