im lost, where can i find info on privately owned rail cars of the steam age?
thanks so much
You might want to make this post in the trains(prototype) discussion forum too.
Richard
I know the Eatons had one called the eatonian back in the early 1900’s
You didn’t mention whether you were after freight or passenger cars.
For freight:
One source is “The Official Railway Equipment Register”. It has been published quarterly for a VERY long time. Back issues are readily available. Westerfield has also mad some available on CD.
In particular, the back “half” lists all privately owned cars that are available for interchange.
There have been various books produced that offer information to different degrees. It’s frequently mixed in with railroad ownership, but there’s been books on reefers and tank cars that would give you pictures and info for those types of cars. They were the most numerous privately owned cars, so that should go a long way for you.
You might also join the STMFC Yahoo group. They aren’t known for their patience with beginners, but a bit of lurking plus the occasional SPECIFIC question will get you a lot of information.
Ed
Define “Steam Age”. That’s about a 100 year period. [;)] I’m assuming you’re thinking of something more to the tail end of that, say 1930s-50s?
The ORER mentioned above is good information. It’s complete roster information for every piece of rolling stock in interchange service in North America at that exact point in time (published quarterly). It includes number ranges, types, quantities and dimensions, but no information on builder or appearance other than the overall dimensions. It’s an excellent reference to compare to photos though, or at least know where to start.
A very large portion of cars were leased with banks being the owner. The cars had a trust plate with the name of the bank highly visible on the car. I would conclude that the majority of cars were privately owned.
Pullman and Private Car Pictorial. New York: Wayner Publications. 80 pages formatted “landscape” ie. the long watm, appropriate for side views of long passenger cars.
Does not incloude copyright date or author. I’ll see what else I can track down.
Pullman and Private Car Pictorial. Robert J. Wayner, editor.
Amazon.com has a 2010 edition available starting at $25 “used.”
And an1950 edition available starting at $11.50 used. Probably more slender than the newer editions, and all “steam era”.
My copy which I obtained ca 1980 and guard, includes pics of about 200 cars, divided between Pullman-owned sleeping cars, (and a few diners and lounge cars) operated on railroads, corporate passenger-type cars, railroad business cars and division superintendents living cars, privately-owned railcars, and passenger cars available for lease to individuals. Maybe 20% streamlined era cars.
Library of Congress does not catalogue a copy.
"…are you tonight,
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I searched the world over and I thought I found true love,
You met another and - pblfft! - you was gon-n-n-ne."
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