Exacta Scale Models, Inc. of Portland, Oregon introduced their OO line in 1946 and was according to advertisement and catalog “successors to Baker-Scott Railway Model Sides.” What I have seen of their products impresses me.

The first cars of theirs that I saw built up were a set of their fluted side streamliners, which were built by Jerry White. This photo of their observation car was take when it was in the collection of Ed Morlok, this is the observation car. The streamline car sides and roof were made from one piece of copper with an aluminum round end on the observation.

They produced an extensive line that was available in HO, OO, S, and O gauges. The scan is of their first advertisement in the April, 1946 issue of MR. A brief review of these sides appeared in the July, 1946 issue of Model Railroader. Their “Trade Topics” column reported that

The detail incorporated in these electroplated car sides is abundant and has eye appeal. Considerable third dimension is obtained with the process, and the copper sides and ends can be soldered together without difficulty. Windows and door openings are outlined but are not supplied punched out. Detailed plans and instructions are included.

Later advertising mentions that the windows are punched out, which would be something modelers would very much want to have done at the factory.

The 1946 catalog lists the following sides:

100 Standard coach
102 PRR coach
104 Club car
200 Pullman
201 Pullman
202 Staggered window roomette
500 RPO
501 Baggage
600 Interurban, heavy, pass-bagg
601 Interurban

The standard, heavyweight passenger cars listed above were sold as sides only. To use them you would have to combine their parts with wood parts you supplied (from perhaps a J-C kit). Matching car ends were available from Exacta.

Exacta also produced a complete train of nine (!) fluted side streamline cars, including the round end observation in the photo at the beginning of this article. The page that links to Exacta information on the HOSeeker site is here.

They also advertised several freight cars, none of which I have ever seen. Their advertisement in the September, 1946 issue of Model Railroader features a prototype photo of their all-metal caboose, built to plans supplied by the Magor Car Corp. as “used on so many railroads.” The advertisement continued

PERFECTLY SCALED IN LUSTROUS MOLDED COPPER
90% correct detail. Recessed doors and windows. Kit includes sides, top, cupola, ends of molded copper; underframe of aluminum, wood moldings for top.

The OO version of the caboose sold for $7, and it was also produced in HO, S, and O gauges. Besides this C&O C-10 caboose, they also advertised a 40’ gondola, a mill gondola, and a hopper.

Personally, I think the “90%” correct detail mentioned prominently in their advertising was a bit of a blunder, who wants a car that is 90% correct? What they wanted to communicate was the rivet detail was 90% correct, as opposed to other makers where the rivets were more representational than correct. In any event, these don’t look like they would be easy to build at all and I strongly suspect more of their products were shipped out in gauges other than OO. Exacta is rare in any scale, and these are certainly cars to keep your eyes peeled for.

Finally, I should also note, if you have a smooth side OO streamliner with aluminum sides, it is an example of the Zuhr streamliner