Hello! I have a doubt: watching some miniature freight cars I have noticed that there is a small rectangle on the both side. In some there is a F letter (I have see this letter in coalporter) while in some others are letter C (in hopper cars). What is the correct meaning of this rectangle (exactament is write: PLATE F or C or....)? Thank's for the answer!
I'm pretty sure the "Plate" classifications refers to The Hieght, and dimensions of certain Rail Freight cars. I don't know the specifics of those "plates" On a Fw Rail cars I've seen a on on end and B on the other, normall the coalhoppers. I would guess The A end (brake wheel and brakeing equipment)and B end on a car (Nothing) someone out there has a better answer
The 'Plate' designation does in fact refer to the dimensions of the car. The 'A' or 'B' end of a car is based on the brakes. The 'B' end is the one with the brake control valve, cylinder, etc. and 'A' is the opposite. Multi-platform articulated cars will have A,B,C...sections depending on how many wells or platforms they have between the couplers. Gets kind of confusing sometimes when you have to write up a defect tag for the second wheel on the left side of the fourth well.
