I have a string of FMC hoppers and am wondering did they run unit trains and whom operated them? Did they run with Mopac? , SP? or Rio Grande or did they mainly run individually with mixed freight. i'm just wondering how do I operaste these hoppers. any information would be much appreciated.
I'd imagine they'd mostly run in a semi-captive service, kinda like some of the old meat reefers or oil company tankers. Of course, all of the preceding is speculation. I don't see why you couldn't run them with MoPac, either alone (which I'd doubt) or as blocks in a manifest.
FMC Hoppers? FMC (Food Machinery & Chemical) built railcars, like ACF or P-S, so they would be in all sorts of reporting marks. Cars in private (grain company) reporting marks generally move in unit trains or al least multiple car blocks, no less than 6 cars together on one Bill of Lading from one shipper at one origin to one consignee at one destination. Railroad reporting mark cars may move in unit trains, but may also be spotted at smaller elevators that only ship a couple of cars at a time.
You'll still find FMC cars in service today, intermixed with everything else. I routinely see ATSF/BN/BNSF FMCs here in VA on NS.
colonel if you are intersted in them, ednsfan has 18 painted but unlettered intermountain ribside hoppers, they are painted light gray perfect for mopac service, he had them for $10 a piece at the gats show.
