Does anyone know the derivation of the term “dreadnought ends”, referring to the corrugated end panels on 1950s-era house cars and some gons, in a characteristic “fat/thin” corrugation pattern?
Thanks.
I’ll hazard a guess that the term goes back at least to the '20’s and was probably in reference to the battleships, or dreadnaughts, of WWl , as a symbol of strength. Especially before the development of steel ends, one of the weakest parts of a freight car was the ends: even after the introduction of steel ends there were many firms selling car end straighteners. I’m not sure if the term was used as a trade name by a particular company or if it was merely a generic term for any corrugated steel end. Perhaps someone else can expand on this.
Wayne
There were lots of steel corrugated ends: Murphey, Hutchins, Vulcan, Dreadnaught, etc. I believe that Dreadnaught WAS a real company in the teens and 20s, named after the British early battleship. By the 1930s, Dreadnaught became a generic term for any specific steel end, much like “Bettendorf” became a generic truck type name.
Thanks! Am I correct that the alternating “fat/thin” corrugation pattern was characteristic of Dreadnaught ends, or were there other identifying features?
“Dreadnaught” was the proprietary name for pressed steel ends introduced by the Standard Railway Supply Company in 1925.
Alternating “fat/thin” corrugations were characteristic of “Improved Dreadnaught” ends introduced in 1944. The distinguishing feature of a “Dreadnaught” end is the darts between the ribs to take up excess material.
All the best,
Mark.