Help with Reconstructing Dimensional Data

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I need some assistance from any early era BN modelers out there (1970-75). I am looking to model a series of Thrall gondolas as pictured in the following images:

http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=48348
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=412922
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1968765

The dimensional data is best read on the railcarphotos image. As this data was modified in 1986 according to the picture, it is too late for the era I model. I am looking for the original data as would have appeared when the car was new (1970 era). Specifically what I am looking for is the CAPY data (I’m guessing 200000 but I don’t know for certain.) as well as exactly when these cars were built (I am totally stumped with that one.).

Given that I know nothing about these cars other than the three pictures for the above links, any help anyone can provide would be very much welcomed.

Thank you for any assistance anyone can provide.

2

I just paged through my 1970 Car and Locomotive Builders Cyclopedia and there is only a one page ad from Thrall showing four similar cars but not sharp enough to read any data.

The ad copy reads HIGH SIDE GONDOLA CARS specially designed for unit train coal service. Capacities of 3,800 cubic feet to 4,300 cubic feet and 100 to 125 tons. Feature a rotating coupler on one end to permit rotary dump unloading with cars coupled. Built of high strength steels , their light weight allows the 100 ton-plus capacity.

For now that’s all I can find.

Good Luck, Ed

3

Given that the primary picture says that the capy is 4,000 cu. ft., that ad seems to make my guess of 200,000 for the capacity seem resonable as the LD LMT is 203700.