Hello,
when did the RRs start using hoppers in big number for transporting coal? It was a gradual switch from the use of gondolas?
When were the last gondolas used for coal? (I am interested motly in mid-western RRs)
Thank you!
sebastiano
Some high gondolas are still used for coal, to power plants and transfer to barge or truck facilities that have rotary dumpers, literally turning the car nearly upside down.
Hoppers with bottom hatches have been in service since the 19th century. High-sided gondolas with fixed bottoms for coal service are dependent on rotary dumpers and generally began coming into use in the mid to late 1960’s.
You are right, I forgot the ‘high volume’ aluminium hoppers used today.
But I was thinking at the ’ general purpose’ gondolas
sebastiano