Hi Folks

Here are the summary tables for box, auto, and ice cars on the NP
from 1938 to 1950:

NP____Jan-38____Apr-42____Jan-45____Apr-49____Jul-50
DS____18,928____16,139____11,850____7,728____7,004
SS____3,461____3,449____4,422____4,389____4,378
Steel____0____4,073____4,980____7,480____8,172
Unknown____0____0____0____0____0
Total____22,389____23,661____21,252____19,597____19,554

NP____Jan-38____Apr-42____Jan-45____Apr-49____Jul-50
DS____84.5%____68.2%____55.8%____39.4%____35.8%
SS____15.5%____14.6%____20.8%____22.4%____22.4%
Steel____0.0%____17.2%____23.4%____38.2%____41.8%
Unknown____0.0%____0.0%____0.0%____0.0%____0.0%
Total____100.0%____100.0%____100.0%____100.0%____100.0%

The numbers of ice cars (all DS) for 1938 to 1950 are: 46, 42, 34,
22, and 17.

I categorized 200 cars in the XAR series 8200-8599 as SS, even though
I could not find direct supporting evidence to that effect.
Examination of the ORERs led me to believe these 200 cars in 1938 had
become two series by 1942, 8000-8099 (99 cars) and 8100-8199 (100
cars). If anyone can confirm or refute that the 8200 series in 1938
is SS, I would appreciate knowing that.

I wish to thank Al Brown, Charles Morrill, and Jim Dick for their
help in providing the information for this table. Much additional
data for the NP is available on line at the Northern Pacific Railway
Historical Association, including equipment diagrams of many freight
car series.

Best wishes,
Larry Ostresh
Laramie, Wyoming