I was wondering when the PRR stopped using the GLa hopper:
and started using this (whatever it is) hopper:
GLa is an OLD design, its a 50 ton car. The other car is a 100 ton car.
Short answer the GLa got old and had to be replaced. The replacement cars were bigger.
For the complete history on PRR hoppers read : “Pennsylvania Railroad Steel Open Hoppers : A Guide for Enthusiasts” by John Teichmoeller.
Dave H.
The GLa hopper was phased out in the early 1960’s, but some did remain in service well into the 80’s. The 100 ton was enbraced by Pennsy around 1964 if memory serves me correctly. For identification it is listed as a H-11 class N&W design hopper.
ahhh, thank you very much. Thats what I was looking for. So the H-11 would definately not be around in 1945-50 then.
The simple answer is yes.
The 2 bay car is a GLa, 50 ton car used widely during 1915-1955.
The 4 bay car is a H21, 70 ton car also used during the same period.
Notice how the bays are paired to face each other instead of the more common 2+2 design used on other roads. Look closely at your picture and you can see the “H21G” along with the BLT 1-10 date. Also the 11-68 date is visible possibly a repaint or insp date. along with the “73 PC” possibly the Penn Central renumber.
They were both replaced by the H39 a 70 ton 3 bay car in the late fifties but a few were still around till the early 1970’s as evidenced by your picture.
The GLa’s and H21’s were among the most numerous of all car types on the Pennsy.
I stand corrected. I missed the “H21G” stencil.
The answer to your question is slightly different. Both cars coexisted on the PRR, they are both from the same era essentially. The H21 didn’t replace the GLa, it was used at the same time. The H21 is even stenciled “BLT 1 - 10”, which would be 1910.
Dave H.
The
thats in intresting link, it shows there being several thousand more H21’s in 1945 then GLa’s. Thanks for the link. Definately bookmarked!!
Getting down to the stats, the GLa hoppers numbered about 30,000 from 1917 to 1932, about 25,000 from 1936 to 1955, then dwindled to 15,000 in 1959, to 7,000 in 1961, to 3,000 in 1965, 200 in 1970 and 77 in 1973.
The H21 series had a population of 1,000 in 1910, 6,000 in 1911, 20,000 in 1913, about 30,000 to 40,000 1917 through 1955. They dropped tp 9,000 in 1964, and to less than 200 by 1976.
Source is Pennsylvania RR Steel Open Hopper Cars, Teichmoeller
perfect. Thanks for all the info guys. I jsut didnt want to run a car on my road that wasn’t prototypical for the time period (45-50).
Anybody have links to modern rolling stock information? Very much like the one above, but for today rather than 1954? I’m looking for the the former PRR, B&O, C&O lines, which are owned by some combination of CSX and NS.
-Tom