I have several of these cars and i am trying to determine what type(s) of loads they carry(ied). I have had little to no luck with my search trying to find commodities for these cars[banghead]. I know sand and roofing granules are two of the commodities hauled and i know there has to be others and would like to know what they are so i can spot these cars at the right types of industries on the layout. Or add the right industries to spot these cars at. Thanks
US Gypsum in Pacific, Missouri, ships their product in those hoppers…there’s always a string or two of them sitting in the siding along the ex-MP mainline at that location.
Cement is also a very common lading for these cars. On the GN, for example, the 173800 series cars were purchased for this service in 1966 and were promptly used for transporting cement to the U.S. Government’s Libby Dam project in Montana. On BN, too, cement was a common commodity-and on BNSF even today. So, if you choose this load, you can weather the cars accordingly. Cement is rather hard on the cars’ paint and leaves white streaks on them.
Sand destined for oil fields or glass plants is another possibility. They also deliver some type of granules (I do not remember exactly what) to composite roofing shingle plants.
Don’t forget Bentonite.There was a spur east of Glasgow Montana going south to a mine.Bentonite is used in the making of taconite pellets and in drilling mud.
Have a good one.
Bill B