07-20-2024, 07:51 AM
My first offering will be this Rock Island box car that was on a westbound in April, 1977.
It is well used but still very serviceable.
Here is an enlargement of the "A" end. Note the ladder still goes to the roofwalk and the lettering is still readable.
The B end shows the lettering is still good too. Also notice the trucks and wheels. The old cars with friction bearings did not rust on the outside because there was always oil leaking from the journal boxes. The wheels would get as much as an inch of oily dirt built up an them and it was almost impossible to get off.
As for the door, they had to be latched, either in the full closed or full open position before they were supposed to leave the yard. Rules were not always followed.
Charlie
It is well used but still very serviceable.
Here is an enlargement of the "A" end. Note the ladder still goes to the roofwalk and the lettering is still readable.
The B end shows the lettering is still good too. Also notice the trucks and wheels. The old cars with friction bearings did not rust on the outside because there was always oil leaking from the journal boxes. The wheels would get as much as an inch of oily dirt built up an them and it was almost impossible to get off.
As for the door, they had to be latched, either in the full closed or full open position before they were supposed to leave the yard. Rules were not always followed.
Charlie