unusual design, and I can only guess that they had a particular commodity in mind for these cars to haul. Anybody know more about these gondolas? << Shawn I have seen photos of them with loads of

Mike Brock wrote: "Didn't consider coal from Utah. That's a long haul to California for that time." Hi Mike, Utah was the source of coal for the Fontana, Calif., works of Kaiser Steel from its

I had always thought that these cars were used for coal and gravel shipments to places that lacked the facilities to unload a hopper. The low sides made it easier to unload manually with a shovel.

Bill, thanks. You bring up a good point about the Alexandria yards. Paul

Lest anyone think that my lame joke has any truth to it they're wrong, as Richard pointed out and I wholeheartedly agree with. Tony is about as accomplished a person as one could hope to find. Since

What is the correct acrylic reefer orange for PFE reefers 1949-1967? Bill McCoy Jax

These cars were very popular for sand, gravel, and stone along with agricultrial limestone because of the relative ease of unloading with a clam shell and laborers at public team tracks. The low

Ben Hom, whose name I spell correctly, said All very nice, Ben, but I had (note: HAD) a Mantua box with an ERIE decorated version contained within. The box was properly labeled. I no longer

There is a photo of one of the N&W's similiar low-sided cars hauling sand to the s.w. virginia coalfields. Used to hold down the build up of coal dust in the mines evidently. Seems I read

Richard Hendrickson wrote: The Maine Central also had similar low side gons in the #17000 series. The limestone trade was a prime reason why. Tim Gilbert

I think they'd be better off leaving Those of upon I agree with you Rob. Jared Harper Athens, GA

A.T. Kott writes: Cost, cost, cost. But passenger wheels were REQUIRED to be steel, at least as early as 1945, because of their lower failure rate. Someone on the list may know when this

Actually, from the ATSF & D&RGW - depending on year. Bob Webber

The First Quarter 2005 issue of The Milwaukee Railroader at page 12 has a color picture of this car with 8 hinges on the door and lettering on the right of the door: DOUBLE DECK and under that the

figured prone freight were for and Tony - Thanks for the response - always wondered how the "wrot stl whls" were made! I agree that steel wheels should have been in use earlier, considering the

Shawn Beckert asked: In regards to the low-side 40' gondola that Ted Culotta will eventually be bringing out: http://www.speedwitch.com/Models.htm What exactly did the Southern use these for? It's an

Mike, Both of the email addresses for Jon Cagle seem to reject me. Would like to reply to an email but can't. Any idea what's wrong? Jon Miller AT&SF For me time has stopped in 1941 Digitrax,

Richard Hendrickson wrote: And limestone was and is one of the primary ingredients in portland cement: http://www.lehighcement.com/ps_manuf.asp Therefore, any railroad that had a cement plant

A.T. Kott said: Tony - I did not know you are a metallurgist!! I have a couple of "Wrought" means any kind of working. And yes, the wheels are forged in dies. I doubt this story very

06:36 PM 3/24/2005, Bob Webber wrote: BTW, the term "Pacific Fleet" *sounds* like it would be fairly a large order, but, one has to remember what was going on during the time this order was put in