Hi and welcome to our Show and Tell. We are showing off some of our fun items that we collected throughout the years. If you see something of interest and are in the USA please contact us. Then we can possibly list and reserve the item you’re interested in at our Etsy store for purchase. For pickup only items we can list and reserve the item at our Ebay store. We are not selling items through this website, it is for Show and Tell purposes only. Thank You!
Found some really cool info on this very cool company at bottom of page! Reads Locomotive Thrall 1963 Freight Car Builder Plate Cast Aluminum Chicago Heights. Looks and feels light like Aluminum. Dated 7/64
Plaque measures 11″ wide, 5 5/8″ tall and 3/8″ thick. Good weight at 1 pound. Has nice size mounting holes with 3/8″ diameters. Scratches, scuffs, stains, nice Patina showing good age and still looks great!
A Thrall train car plaque dated July 1964 (7/64) is a “birth certificate” for a specific freight car manufactured at the Thrall Car Manufacturing Company’s plant in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Found some fun reading online about this historic co at bottom of page.
Guessing made 1964. Cool Old Train Car Plaque!!
Please check pictures for description and condition.
Founding (1916–1917): A.J. Thrall established the Union Wagon Company in 1916 to sell refurbished railcar components. It was renamed Thrall Car Manufacturing Company in 1917 and headquartered in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Post-War Expansion (1940s–1960s): After World War II, under the leadership of Richard L. Duchossois (who married A.J. Thrall’s daughter), the company shifted from repairing cars to building specialized new ones. By 1966, employment had grown from 18 to 1,400 people.
Innovation Leader (1960s–1970s): Thrall became famous for specialized designs, including:
High-cube boxcars for the automotive industry.
All-door boxcars for lumber and building products.
Double-stack container cars for intermodal shipping.
