Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote user="fwright"]   Wood cars built in the 1880s typically had a life span of 15-20 years [/quote]You have to be a little careful with that twenty year figure for a couple of reasons. The 20 year life span was set by the MCB as a means for working out a system of compensation for cars destroyed or damaged in interchange service.  It turned out in actual practice that a lot of cars ended up lasting  longer than 20 years.  Additionaly we are talking about a Nevada setting here, so the dry climate meant that wooden rolling stock did not have to be subjected to the number 1 enemy of the wood car, rot from damp conditions.  That's the reason that so many of the vintage prototypes that have been preserved have come from this part of the world.  Years ago my Grandfather told me that when he was working at a wrought iron rolling mill about the time of the end of WWI, they were buying a lot of scrap from RR's that were replacing rail and bridges with steel.  He told me that the rail that was coming out of the western desert was like new, still retaining the heat blue from it's original manufacture.  The stuff coming out of swampy areas down south was pretty well  rotted out.JBB
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!