MILW & General Reporting Marks Question

[MILWray]

I'm hoping someone can provide some additional information or context on this unique car number: MILW X908208. I have not been able to find this via any of the published reporting marks used by the Milwaukee Road. Any information about the X, or where to try to track down more information about cars marked this way is much appreciated.

[rcdrye]

"X" series numbers are used on non-revenue equipment.  The car is a former steam locomotive tender, probably used in water service.

[MILWray]

Thank you so much redrye! You're absolutely right, upon further research this was used for water service to this town. Do you have any other examples of non-revenue rolling stock that would have been used back throughout the 1930s - 1950s?

[rcdrye]

"X" numbers were (and still are) used on anything from shop switchers to snow plows.  Wrecking cranes and camp cars are also found on various railroads.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

"X" numbers are fairly common for non-revenue equipment but other prefixes (SPMW comes to mind) or number blocks (900xxx) are also used.

[wjstix]

Yes pretty much any MOW (Maintenance of Way) equipment could have the X designation, indicating they were only to be used only on railroad property and not interchanged. Cranes, bunkcars, gondolas with ties and rail, rotary snow plows etc. etc. Any 'work train' equipment. Old freight cars would be saved from scrapping for MOW use, so in the 1930s-50s you might see old cars with archbar trucks, trussrods, older style brakes, etc.

[BaltACD]

X is also indicative of cars that CAN NOT be used Interchange Service.  Cars use in Interchange Service must meet certain standards of age, car construction techniques, air brake equipment etc.  Cars that don't meet the standards cannot move OFF the owners tracks.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

If you consider the condition of some of the non-interchange equipment that I've seen over the years, I'm not sure that they could move ON the owner's tracks.

[BaltACD]

CSSHEGEWISCH

If you consider the condition of some of the non-interchange equipment that I've seen over the years, I'm not sure that they could move ON the owner's tracks.

In many cases you are right, however, with some WD-40, duct tape and a coat hanger or two you can probably watch it make some kind of move on its owners rails.