Was wondering if anyone would know if any of the following freightcar types would have been utilized for actual freight hauling from 1978 to 1982: 33' Twin Bay Hoppers and 55 Ton Fishbelly Hoppers
Yes, in aggregate and stone service, no longer in coal service. By 1978, local coal yards had just about ceased to exist, and industrial and utility coal users wanted large volumes in larger cars. In that period, the AN received limestone for a customer in older SOU twin bay hoppers. Customer had a strike, shut its lime kilns, and never started them up when the strike was over, buying lime instead, which arrived in large covered hoppers.
