Did pullman have a standard length for their passenger cars?
Thanks
Roughly, yes, but it changed over time as car designs became progressively longer and heavier. Do you have a specific era in mind?
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
OK, there would be many holdovers from earlier construction, but then there's lightweight equipment that comes onboard, mostly after Pullman was split after the war between the sleeping car operation and the construction of cars with most being sold to the RRs everntually as the biz was dying. [I know I probably managled that summarization, so any pass. car experts are free to set things straight with my lame oversimplification] So there could be a wide variety of measurements, perhaps more so than before 1939.
Most were right around 80'. There's a great website and database on line that can let you look over the records for more detailed info. This link takes you to an explanation of the car construction record assigned to each car built. The length info, in detail, is on the back of the example card: http://www.pullmanproject.com/CCR_breakdown.htm
Glad to help. Tom has a really great site for refrerence to serve anyone interested in these classics of the rails. The home page link for easy reference.
http://www.pullmanproject.com/index.htm
One of my grandfathers worked building Pullmans for awhile, until the Great Depression sent him back to the farm in southern Indiana.
You might also check with your protoype railroad's historical society (if you have a prototype in mind). They may have drawings and/or photos of the railroads equipment available for reproduction. Generally speaking you will find most newer standard guage equipment falls within the 60'-85' range. Head end equipment sometimes was shorter.
Pullman Company passenger car floor plans 1870-1969:
http://illinoisharvest.grainger.uiuc.edu/results.asp?word=&newsearch=1&searchtype=collectioncontent&collID=2688&collname=Pullman%20Company%20Car%20Drawings,%201870-1969%20(bulk%201919-1969)
The lengh dimensions do not include vestibles (the areas on the end of the car with doors and steps). Some cars have a vestible on one end, some on both ends and others no vestibles.
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Pullman sleeping cars were lengthened to 80' in the 1890's, and were basically that length (80-85') from then on. However, Pullman built coaches, baggage cars, diners, etc. for railroads, and these would be whatever length the buyer needed. Generally in the heavyweight days diners were 80', coaches were often 70'-72' but could be 80', and head-end cars (RPO, baggage etc.) were 60'-70'.