Solid bottom gons (open or covered) hauling loose materials were emptied often by clamshell type shovels followed by guys with hand shovels (or if the material was steel scrap or metal filings and turnings, by electric magnets on cranes).
I have seen photos of gondola roofs that have hatches, just like covered hoppers, which suggests that at least some covered gons were used to ship powdered or pelletized materials.
The 1961 Car Builder's Cyc shows a Stan Ray diagonal panel removable roof for gondolas. That would resemble the diagonal panel boxcar/reefer roofs you see on some models.
Dave Neson
Interesting. How would these be emptied? I don't notice dump type hoppers. Would they be turned upside down? Seems inefficient to dig everything out with some kind of scoop device?
I do NOT know how the long gons were emptied, as when I worked over there forty-five-odd years ago the ore was moved in bottom-dump cars.
Sorry.
Ron High In the 1950s the New haven Railroad ordered 15 covered gondolas in a 50 foot length. They were originally used for the Brass industry around Waterbury Ct and the Naugatuck river valley.They were also used in the steel industry I remember seeing these cars in Putnam Ct for a steel company. Ron High
In the 1950s the New haven Railroad ordered 15 covered gondolas in a 50 foot length. They were originally used for the Brass industry around Waterbury Ct and the Naugatuck river valley.They were also used in the steel industry I remember seeing these cars in Putnam Ct for a steel company.
Ron High
I checked in my color guide and these cars were 52'6" in interior length and at least 4' longer than the Athearn car, that was designed to fit the frame from the 50' flat car, which itself was 2'6" short and designed to fit in Athearns small box.
By the way here is a Walthers 52'6" Gon with an Eastern Car Works cover, which you will note is much higher than the Athearn cover which will allow for transporting the larger coil sizes.
Rick Jesionowski
Rule 1: This is my railroad.
Rule 2: I make the rules.
Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!
NDG FYI. These covered gons are carrying Zinc and Lead Ore Concentrates to the Smelter at Tadanac. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZU-pgkfOw8 Thank You.
Thank You.
I assembled my Athearn kit yesterday. Since the top was one piece and not so amenable to splitting where that would look like 3 separate pieces I decided to not make it removeable. It had a bit of an upward bow so I decided to glue it on. The "load" is a few British pennies (don't expect to use them) to get the weight near spec for the length.
I find the car an interesting variation for my freight trains.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
I seem to recall somewhere along the line reading about a railroad that used covered gondolas for sand for their locomotives. Like, rather than having a small sand drying operation at each engine facility, they had one centralized one and sent dried sand out by covered gon to where it was needed.
My thought was also that these cars would be loaded with plate. But, apparently, coils were much smaller back when these cars were first produced.
A quote from MFCL:
"Either dozens or none per gon....The monster coils you see today are more of a 60's thing. Back in the 50's coils were much smaller 2-3 feet in diameter, biggest coils were about 55 inches in diameter. Larger pieces were shipped as flat blanks."
Of course, for us modelers it likely doesn't matter; since we're running them as closed cars, anyway. Unless, of course, you're showing loading or unloading.
Ed
They would be pretty small O.D coils in a covered Gon. Every one I saw in steel mills was being loaded with flat sheets or plate.
Locomotive wheels, (old/new) scrap loads, steel loads and small containers could be in a covered gondola.
Athearn has been making their covered gondola since about 1965. They have a whole bunch due in next month. The model is kind of crude, and it's not an accurate model of anything. I would be totally in if they did a new accurate one for the Burlington.
Atlas made some gondola covers that they sold separately. Not surprisingly, they fit on some of their gondolas. They are much more modern than the Athearn.
This thread made me want a covered gondola car.
.
I do not have any as of yet.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
The cover on the Athearn gondola is a model of a three-part cover. They didn't lift the whole cover, just one piece.
I think the cover is based on ones for Burlington gondolas. They look the same in photos I'm looking at.
Just as they are today, covered gondolas (what coil steel cars actually are) are almost always used for coiled steel.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Jeff Wilson's Kalmbach book "The Model Railroader's Guide to Freight Cars" says that covered gons were used for loads that needed protection from the elements (well yeah) such as coiled steel. That was prior to the popularity of specific coil steel cars with removable lids. There may have been minerals, metals, and woods that were shipped by gon that the recipients wanted to receive dry.
Dave Nelson
Unfortunately (financially) I like to look at EBay too often and see what things I am unaware of that I might like (not need) to add. Today I came across some Athearn 50' covered gondala kits (I prefer kits) and ordered one (of course).
Several questions arise:
a) The top seems to have lifting lugs and there does not appear to be dropout hoppers. What materials might have been shipped that needed the weather protection?
b) Since the car with the top on is not especially interesting (other than its variety) I wonder what scene I might create. For example, what would be used to lift the top off; e.g., a cherry picker? And how would materials typically be loaded / unloaded?
Any information would be appreciated. I did not gain much with a google search.