On Oct 22, 2008, at 8:15 AM, benjaminfrank_hom wrote:

David Snook wrote:
http://www.wichitaphotos.org/graphics/wsu_tms408.9.factory.4.jpg
<http://www.wichitaphotos.org/graphics/wsu_tms408.9.factory.4.jpg>

"I wonder if all of those crates will fit in the one car?"

From the looks of it, no. However, note that there are TWO automobile
boxcars in the photo - the WAB car is most likely a 21250-series 1-1/2
door DS automobile boxcar. The radial roof is a key spotting feature
differentiating this car from a USRA DS boxcar.

Ben is, as usual, correct. I will add that what's in those crates is
one or more Travelair biplanes, and that Travelair was (at the time)
one of the largest and most successful aircraft manufacturers in the
U.S. The superiority of Travelair's aircraft can be accounted for by
the fact that the company was run by a partnership consisting of
Clyde Cessna, Walter Beech, and Lloyd Stearman, all of whom went on
to establish their own aircraft companies and become legends in the
industry. All three designed aircraft during the 1930s of which many
are still flying. As are a number of Travelairs, though the last of
them were built in 1930. I've flown in one. Now, back to freight
cars before I hear the creaking hinges of moderate jail.

Richard Hendrickson