One line of OO products covered in the book (p. 158), but not mentioned yet in this updated website,** are the wood boxcar (SP) and reefer (Swift) models produced by E. H. Bessey of Sunnyvale, CA. Introduced ca. 1940, the bodies of these cars resemble those of scribed Picard bodies, but every part is somewhat different when you look closely. But the really unique feature of these models was that the bodies were completely painted with screen lettered by Bessey, sharp lettering and a unique look.

They are attractive models, and the full run of them may be seen in the book. Outwardly they look like they could be old time cars, and the builder of the four cars seen in the book added truss rods to enhance that look, as seen above on the Premium Bacon car.

Bill Gilbert was interested to see one of these models, and I knew I had an extra but it took a while to find. Finally, it was found and sent to Bill, and recently this Premium Ham car came back as you see it here. Bill looked the prototype cars up; they were actually built in 1931, and are not of the 1902 timeframe he works in now. Still, he decided to rebuild the model to follow those seen in pictures in the books.

The biggest visual difference is the roof and ends should have been black. This is not an uncommon mistake by model builders, but very significant to the look of the model. The trucks were regular Bettendorf style trucks. For now, the model is on Scale-Craft trucks, but I plan an upgrade later.

The steel frame is from an HO model, and the ends were reworked for a better look. In terms of look there is another detail to mention. Bill has for many years been careful to add a touch of silver to the end of the “air hose” going out from under the coupler. This feature is part of how he gets a consistent look to his models, and will be seen on many others of the models he has built.

As mentioned, I have a set of four of these models built up and I’m now inclined to work on them as well. They sit too high on their trucks, the trucks are too far in from the ends, and the truss rod setup is clunky, incorrect for the models. I don’t think I’ll repaint them, but I would like the frame and truck setup to be more prototypical — and for them to operate better.

All in all, the Bessey cars are ones to keep your eyes peeled for, they are not that common and nicely lettered and engineered kits.

**The photos and text from what articles covered E. H. Bessey in the old site all or mostly went into the book, and were edited off the site.