When were the first 50’ boxcars put into service?
JaRRell
Jarrell,
I know they were out by the early 40s.
Tom
The first single sheathed 50’ers were supposedly built for the Rock Island in 1912, and were common on some western roads by the 1920s. It seems to me that I’ve seen something about a B&O car from the 1860s, too, but I don’t recall where. I couldn’t find any strictly prototype info, but if you go to Westerfield, and scroll down the page to the fifty-foot cars, then click on the pictures, you’ll get a brief history.
Wayne
Single-sheathed 50-footers were used in the 1920’s to haul automobiles.
1894, according to an article by Richard Hendrickson. The Milwaukee had a series of double-sheathed “carriage cars” built that year. Santa Fe had two groups, classed Fe-E and Fe-F, built in 1898 and 1899. KCS were next, with 200 cars built in 1900. Up until the late 1920s, 50’ boxcars were concentrated on Western railroads, with over 30,000 cars in service by then.
Cheers,
Mark.
(JM - did you get my email re foam?)
Thanks for the additional info, Mark. I had a feeling that there were some in service before the turn of the century.
Wayne
Wow, didn’t know they went back that far. I’d have guessed sometime in the 1930’s
Thanks,
JaRRell
My pleasure, Wayne. I also recall seeing an article about an 1860s B&O 50’ boxcar… was it in Railmodel Journal?
Cheers,
Mark.
I don’t subscribe to that one, Mark. [:)] The one of which I’m thinking might be here .
Wayne