This is another photo from the USC Digital Library (http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/ ).

Apparently this is one person's approach to avoiding switching charges:

http://digitallibrary.usc.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15799coll170/id/44439/rec/711

Use the slider to enlarge the photo.

This was taken outside of Santa Fe's La Grande Station in 1934. If nothing else, it's a good photo of ATSF 126439, a Bx-12 boxcar built in 1930. The second car probably is a Bx-12 as well but the number is not visible.

The Santa Fe had 3,500 of these cars, purchased from AC&F (500), Pullman (1,500), General American (1,000) and Pressed Steel Car (500), according to Santa FE Boxcars, 1869-1953. The Listing Of Freight Cars By Class And Car Number 1906-1991 shows the 500 AC&F cars as having been built by the Santa Fe shops, however.

ATSF 126439 is a member of the 500 cars with the uncertain builder.

Bob Chaparro

Hemet, CA