Need help Identifying Tank Car And Hoppers....

CNE1899 Mar 4, 2021

  1. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    I am reposting this here, didn't get much response in Ready Track.
    I am planning on doing shelf layouts of the Toms River, NJ branch of the CNJ.
    I came across some arial photos from 1939. I enlarged some scenes to try to
    identify some of the boxcars and hoppers.
    The two pictures are at the New Jersey Pulverizing Company (sand plant).
    The hoppers seem to be Reading HTjr cars. Is the tank car a converted ACF
    car? Looks like hatches on either side of the dome, possibly modifications to each end of tank as well?.
    If anyone has more info, feel free to chime in.
    Thanks,
    Scott
    NJPCo_39_01.jpg
    NJPCo_39_02.jpg NJPCo_39_03.png
     
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  2. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    They are interesting photo's. I think that the older hoppers look like this: thumbnail_IMG_0334.jpg

    These were Deluxe Innovation cars. I don't have very many as they went out of production some years ago. Kato and Atlas both make similar cars they are mostly available.

    The "tank cars" I don't think are tank cars at all. 10014_1200.gif I think they were sort of like these. I don't know a lot about these cars but if they were around in 1939 perhaps I need to know more and include them in my collection.
     
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  3. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Randy,
    The covered hoppers are basically USRA 55 ton hoppers with a cover. A few companies did conversions.
    rdgloa79088.jpg
    15179062_1222815621138311_4013391106724516001_n.jpg
    caso-880155.jpg
    hopperc_90006.jpg
    NYC_H_CoveredHopper.jpg
    The Barrett car is a converted tank car. There was an article about the actual car in the one of the railroad journals. Looks to me like a UTXL X-3.
    barrett-ltas.jpg
    I was hoping for confirmation on my thoughts on the covered hoppers, and some information on the converted sand tank car.
    Thanks, Scott
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021
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  4. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    WOw, Now I need to figure out how to build the Barrett cars. I had exposure to a converted Green Bay and Western car when I worked for WC. THe only thing I can think of to do is to find additional photo's of the cars. There seems to be little doubt as to the pedigree of the covered hoppers and the photo's you have do are not good enough to tell if the tank cars are ACF or something else. I do have two books on tank cars and I will look a bit later.

    I'm thinking for the Barrett car I can start with a Bachmann three dome 10,000 gal car...
     
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  5. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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  6. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    I think I can bash the Barrett car from a Bachmann 3 dome. It appears that this car was a GAT car built for UTL with the four tank straps. ACF used two straps. I cannot see in your photo the car clearly enough to see the straps. No I need to find some tops for coal hoppers to build some Reading sand cars. I have to believe that the CNJ also modified some cars for the sand and cement service on their lines..
     
  7. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    The 1946 registry of RR equipment shows the reading car pictured AAR class LO in cement service. Looking at the CNJ they have the same class of car in cement service numbers 59000-59099, 59100-59149, 65000-65009, 65007, 65010-65039.


    I wonder who owned the tank car ? It should have been re-classed into AAR LO service with very different dimensions than a converted coal hopper. It doesn't appear to be a CNJ car. Possibly GACX s they do show some 45 foot covered hoppers...

    BMX 819 pictured above does not appear in the 1946 registry.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021
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  8. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Unique looking car for sure! Like to see this in Z-scale.
     
  9. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Randy,
    Did you check out the Railway Age article?
    I wish I was able to get a hold of the 1939 ORER. Then I can look up the CNJ fleet and any other connecting RRs.
    The mystery car is definitely a converted tank car. I also think it has modifications on each end of the tank. You can see the
    shadow of the modification on the CNJ box car next to it. I did a quick sketch of what I thought it might look like.

    Scott
    1595_210305150620_001.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021
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  10. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, I looked at the article. Like I said I think a logical kitbash would be a bachmann three dome. It looks like all they did was to cut off the domes and install hatches. Maybe the Bachmann single dome with some added hatches would suffice for the car shown on the CNJ.

    Even if the tank car was a type 07 it would still be in service in 1946. I surmise the Barrett car was not converted until later, maybe 1949? In any case the number group is vacant until #326 or so. My guess is they took some of thier own tank cars and converted them. The ORER show something like 700 tank cars in their fleet.
    I'll look through a couple other books I have tonight, maybe the answer is waiting for me.

    Nice tank car sketch, mine always look like anatomy...
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2021
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  11. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Wahoo!
    I finally found information regarding this car in the April 2nd, 1932 edition of the Railway Age journal.
    It is the Precursor to the big rectangular Dry Flow cars.
    The car is a GATX "Dry Flow" tank car. It is a 40'
    tank with six manways to load, and a chain driven conveyor to unload. The unloading chute is center bottom.
    The dome houses the electric motor and chain drive.
    Scott
    2021322131255_GATX_DryFlow_1932.jpg
     
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  12. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Now I just have to find out who bought or leased these.
    Scott
     
  13. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    In the 1946 guide it shows GATX 33000 as AAR class TLI (lined tank car insulated). So yeah, I still think they were reclassed GACX hoppers at some point.

    It's a very specialized car for sure. I like it !!
     
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  14. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks Randy!
    That is helpful.
    Here is a 1932 Popular Mechanics Article.
    PopularMechanics_1932.png
     
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  15. Kurt Moose

    Kurt Moose TrainBoard Member

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    Wow, look at that set-up!
     
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  16. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Randy,
    Is the 1946 guide you mention the 1946 ORER?

    Here is the April 2, 1932 Railway Age arcticle.


    Scott
    GATX_DryFlow_1932_01sm.jpg
    GATX_DryFlow_1932_02sm.jpg
    GATX_DryFlow_1932_03sm.jpg
     
  17. Randy Stahl

    Randy Stahl TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yes, its the equipment register.
     
  18. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Randy,
    Since GATX leased cars and this is a rare bird, I wonder if it is a private company car?
    I'm almost certain it carries silica, since GATX states that's one of the recommended dry goods, and New Jersey Pulverizing sold silica.
    I wish I was able to get a hold of build records like I found for ACF and Baldwin, or orders from NJP.

    Scott
     
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  19. Pastor John

    Pastor John TrainBoard Member

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    Since GATX still exists, would they be responsive to an information request in the interests of "historical research"? Add a little more on who leased these and relative car numbers/production and you'd not only have your answer, but enough for a nice article to submit for publication somewhere.

    Sent from my moto g(7) play using Tapatalk
     
  20. CNE1899

    CNE1899 TrainBoard Member

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    Pastor John,
    Yes, I just sent them an email. We'll see.

    Scott
     

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