When would they have been produced ? When would they have been in service?
Chip,
A 90-ton hopper car would be fairly modern. I know the standard into at least the early 1960s were 3-bay 70-ton capacity hoppers. The smaller 2-bay hoppers before them were typically 50 ton rated, with most production of those ending by circa 1940.
I’m working from memory here, as I’m away from my library. No doubt there are exceptions to these general rules, also.
Thanks. My Freight Cars book is buried. I’m just wondering if the 90 toners would be used in 2007.
Oh, 2007?
I don’t model much past 1975. My guess is that a 90-ton capacity hopper could still be around, but would dfefinitely be obsolescent. Since the advent of widespread movement of coal by unit trains, the standard is now 100 ton or greater capacity.
I do know a few roads converted older hoppers to wood chip hauling, but even this is often done by increasingly specialized rolling stock nowadays.
Try some bethgons for modern coal hauling. Some of those 61’ woodchip hoppers carry coal sometimes. (Saw a couple photos)
Hope I helped.
On the WM, the first 90 ton cars were purchased for stone service to Sparrows Point around 1963. They were upgraded to 100 ton capacity by adding larger trucks (the cubic foot capacity didn’t change). I would say that 100t coal hoppers were the standard from about 1965 until the late 80’s early 90’s when the railroads undertook massive rebuild programs to produce the newer bathtub style cars (no hopper doors on the bottom)
You still see them around though. On a recent trip to PA, we saw more than a few still in coal service. Some domestic customers don’t have rotary dumpers, so they still need hoppers that open at the bottom.
Lee
Hello All;
I was wondering, what would be the standard coal hopper for the 1945-1959 era? I thought that Spacemouse was looking backwards not forwards. [#oops] I am modling Ohio area NKP, C&O, and PRR in HO…Thanks in advance for any help you give!!!
There’s your short answer…
55 tonners. They came in all shapes, offset sides, straight frames, fishbellies (above).
Lee
I see 90 ton hoppers hauling sand a lot or they might be 70 tons will have to check next time i am in Charlotte NC.
Actually NS still has lots of 90 ton hoppers in coal service.
Nationally it would be the 50-55 ton car. On the PRR it would be the 70 ton quad H21 hands down. The PRR had more H21’s than some rr’s had all cars. For example in 1956 the PRR had 38,000 H21’s. The GN had 39,000 cars of ALL types, the Rock Island 29,000 cars, the NKP 25,000 cars. So if you are modeling post WW2 and the PRR you need many Bowser H21’s.
Dave H.
From the Keys
From the Keystone Crossing Web Site here is the breakdown of hopper classes on the PRR in 1959.
|
Class |
Quantity |
Car Type |
|
H21A |
24431 |
Hopper |
|
GLA |
15857 |
Hopper |
|
H39 |
2712 |