Boxcars

got a question about boxcars. Back in the 60’s when roofwalks finally were removed from cars. I know some cars were updated by removing the walks. Some cars continued to have the brake wheels in the high position with a long ladder, I believe the other ladders on the cars were shorted. About how long after would those cars have been in service? I’m not looking for exact dates, just a possible timeframe. Would I be able to run a GP 15 with some of those in a train?

Thanks,
Dale

 

Running boards were banned in 1964, and railroads had until 1974 to remove them. New cars could not be built after 1966 with running boards, but existing cars could keep them only if they were not used in interchange service. However, covered hoppers can still have high mount brake wheels because they still have roofwalks.

That same 1964 law also stated regulations for the placement of the handbrake, which means that 1964 was the introduction year for low brake wheels. Existing cars could keep their high mount brake wheel until it needed to be repaired. Once it hit the shops, it needed to be rebuilt to meet standard. Like the running board deadline, 1974 was probably the end of the high mount brake wheel too.

 

In reality, 1974 was not the end of roof walks and high mount brake wheels. There is plenty of photographic evidence to prove it.

Rob Spanglers discussion adds more info:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/231.27 . Basically a house car (boxcar, reefer) delivered after 10/1/1966 was to have no running board, four-rung ladders, and a low-mounted brake wheel. Existing cars were to be modified with the running board removed, A end ladders shortened to four rungs, and an L-shaped grab on the roof at the B end replacing the grab that was originally on the running board (if the brakewheel and ladders on the B end remained at their original height [most roads did not lower the brakewheel or B end ladders]). A yellow label stating "keep off roof no running board" was to be placed on the side of the car adjacent to the B end ladders (decals are available for this). The initial date set for older cars to be in compliance was in 1974, but that proved unattainable so it was extended to 1983. Having a few cars with pre-1966 safety appliances is fine during this timeframe, but they'll look out of place later.

 

So, leads me to this question, if the compliance was extended to 1983, were there cars on the rail still with roofwalks on them? Were they able to be used in interchange service?

I appreciate you all taking time to answer!

Dale

 

Yes and yes. I've seen quite a few photos with boxcars with roofwalks after 1974 and yes, into the early 80's. My interest is modeling 1977-1983 and I plan to have a few roofwalk equipped boxcars in service.

I used to think by my modeling period roofwalks were were universally gone but not so. I've seen more and more photographic evidence to the contrary.

 

Here is a SOO box car with the brake wheel still up high dated 1977; roof walk is removed.



Here is a CGW box car in 1985 with roof walk still in service:



Here is a Rock Island box car with roof walk in 1982:



Here is a PRR box car with roof walk in 1981:



These are just a few examples I could find quickly but you see roof walks survived on some box cars long after the 1974 deadline. There are examples with roofwalks even past the 1983 extended deadline as well, but they were probably getting pretty rare by then. I'm not sure what the ratio was but common enough you can include some as long as they are the exception rather than the rule, depending on how late you model.

 

Wow guys, such great information! I really appreciate your taking time to answer! I will plan accordingly. You guys as usual come through great.

Have a Merry Christmas!
Dale

 

No problem!

At one time I had assumed fallen flag paint schemes were rare after mergers too, but CB&Q, Great Northern, Northern Pacific etc. were still seen well into the 1980's and a few longer.

With regard to 40' box cars, my understanding is they were still somewhat common until a down turn in traffic in the early 80's (82/83) and their numbers disappeared fast after that.

Per the wiki, GP15-1 diesels were built between 1976 and 1982, so you my include some box cars with roofwalks, and some 40' box cars as well. I'd guess by the mid-1970's, the percentage of 40' box cars was getting fairly low vs. 50 and 60' box cars, but still seen in many freight trains.

FWIW, my modeling period is very similar, 1977-1983 approximately, because I want to model caboose era on the Rio Grande. Also remember per-diem box cars were in their prime around 1978-1980, all those colorful short line box cars such as McLoud River, Ashley Drew & Northern, Port of Tillamook Bay, Oregon Pacific & Eastern, and many others.

 

There were some 63' centerbeams mostly starting in 1977 or so, but the 73' centerbeams mainly appeared around 1986 and 87.

 

Thank you all!