Eric wrote:

“The White Stripe on the Right-hand Door indicated that the car was equipped with Auto Loader's. The devices that hoisted Automobiles overhead so that four vehicles could be carried per car. So, this would indicate that at least through 1942, they were used to haul Automobiles. The question is After WW II, were they still used to haul Automobiles or converted to another service as Auto Parts carriers of General use cars?”

The D&LW 11300-11599 auto cars were still equipped with Evans Auto~Loaders (Type E) after WWII ended. There were still 99 equipped with loaders in January of 1959. The cars would have been equipped with an earlier model; possibly B or C when originally rebuilt though those rebuilt in 1937 may have had Type D loader. The Type E wasn’t available until 1939.

The marking on the door with the rectangular box and “36” stenciled within would have no longer been used after 1938. This indicated the car was fully equipped to handle 1936 model automobiles including chain tie downs. The rectangle below the 3” stripe likely remained until repainting or modifications to the loaders occurred. The 3” white stripe on the right hand door was still applied to all cars equipped with loaders.

The builder photo doesn’t show any signs of floor tubes but I would speculate they were added after the photo and surely were added when retrofitted with Type E loaders.

Yearly totals equipped with Auto~Loaders:

9/42 - 299 (unknown loader type)
1/45 - 297 (all Type E with 12 floor tubes)
10/45 - 295
7-46 - 295
7/47 - 295
10/48 - 294
4/49 - 294
4/50 - 294
10/50 - 294
1/52 - 292
10/53 - 199
4/54 - 297
10/54 - 198
10/55 - 197
1/56 - 196
1/57 - 189
1/58 - 157
1/59 - 99

Guy Wilber
Reno, Nevada

DL&W 11578 was on the Sierra RR in 1952 hauling lumber back east. I have conductors lists that show that car.

Not quite the right series, but 11387 hauled lumber from St. Rose, QC, to Suncook, NH, being interchanged with the SVRR at Concord, NH on 12/1/52. It was returned MT to the B&M on 12/13.

Earl Tuson

Hi Eric, all the photos I have of this car in service show a white stripe. Including one photo for sure taken in 1949. (It also has Phoebe Snow on the car). Colin

Sorry Bruce, I meant Right Door Not Left!

Eric

The White Stripe on the Right-hand Door indicated that the car was equipped with Auto Loader's. The devices that hoisted Automobiles overhead so that four vehicles could be carried per car. So, this would indicate that at least through 1942, they were used to haul Automobiles. The question is After WW II, were they still used to haul Automobiles or converted to another service as Auto Parts carriers of General use cars.

Eric

Hi Eric, all the photos show a white stripe on the right door, like in the photo you posted. Is there a difference? I’m not sure I’ve ever noticed such a thing.

Colin

Colin,

 Do your photos show a White Stripe on the Left Door, for an Auto Loader?

 Thanks,
 Eric

Hi Eric, 

I have a Yarmouth Model Works ho kit of one of these cars to build and so I’ve researched them a bit. I can’t answer all of your questions but I can offer this:

There were 100 cars rebuilt into steel auto cars in 1934, these are a bit different than the ones in the picture. They were lower, 10’ high and had a 7-1-8 rib end arrangement. Number series 11200-11299

The cars in the photo were rebuilt in 1935 1936 and were 10’4” high and had a 5-0-5-5 end arrangement. Number series 11350 - 11500?

 I have photos of both series with and without the Phoebe Snow emblem. I understand they would have been repainted after about 1941 with this arrangement. 

Hope that helps!

Colin Meikle

Looking for information on the 11500 Series Lackawanna Automobile cars built 1933.  I have found one photo from the late 30's with cars being loaded for shipment. Looks like 350 cars were built with Auto loaders as the only two photos I can find show a white stripe in the right-side door. I would like to know the following:

What year were the Auto loader removed from these cars? Were they then used in Auto Parts Service or General Service? Did they ever receive the " Phoebe Snow" Lettering?

 Thank You for your help.

Eric Thur