length of pre-1890 passenger cars

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

What lengths were say 1860-1890 passenger cars?

2

Ten to about 30 or 40 feet depending on the railroad and the service…check your library for rail history books either for general rairoading or specific railroads…some railroads were 6 foot wide, others 3 foot wide…some were 4ft 8 or 9 inches, maybe ten.

3

Get hold of a copy of John H. White Jr.'s “The American Railroad Passenger Car” - see: http://www.amazon.com/American-Railroad-Passenger-Hopkins-Technology/dp/0801827434 - and all will become clear(er).

  • Paul North.
4

Also note that the answer will depend on when the cars were built. Fourty to fifty foot in 1865 up to 70 to 75 feet in 1890. Paul’s answer is the definitive one.

Mac