Freight Car Ends and Sides

[cefinkjr]

I know freight cars have a B end (the end where the hand brake is found) and an A end (opposite the B end). Is there a similar designation of the sides? If so, what is it; how do I know which side I am seeing?

[tomikawaTT]

Freight cars may be symmetrical (both sides identical) or asymmetrical:

• Symmetrical - most box cars, ice reefers, most tank cars, gondolas, hoppers...
• Asymmetrical - mechanical reefers, cabooses, tool and equipment cars...

Symmetrical cars can be assembled without worrying about which side goes where,  Cars with sides that have different arrangements, or arrangements which are mirror images, have the differences designated on the erection drawings used to assemble them.  I have no idea how those differences might be designated.

In the case of a kit with separate sides, ends, frame/floor and roof, consult the instruction sheet.  (Mine won't be very helpful - they're printed in Japanese.)

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[jeffhergert]

Cars also have a right and left side.  Standing at the B end, the side to your right is the right side.  The side to the left is the left side.  The designations in everyday use are usually to determine or report defective wheel bearings.  The axle closest to the B end is number one.

Jeff 

[cefinkjr]

jeffhergert

Cars also have a right and left side.  Standing at the B end, the side to your right is the right side.  The side to the left is the left side.  The designations in everyday use are usually to determine or report defective wheel bearings.  The axle closest to the B end is number one.

Jeff 

 

Thanks, Jeff.  This is the kind of information I was seeking.  I knew there had to be a way to report the location of defects like "Door stuck open" (on a box car), "Hole in side sheet" (of a gondola), or "Journal box cover missing" (on a car with solid bearings).  I may have known it when I worked for NYC-PC and spent a few months in MoE but I've slept a time or two since then.

[1019x]

Just to clarify what Jeff said, you stand facing the B end, then your right is the right side of the car and your left is the left side of the car. If you were reporting a problem with the bearing on the right side of the car and the second axle from the B end, you would call it R-2. If you have a car like a caboose that had a hand brake on each end, then the end that the brake piston was pointing to would be the B end. On heavy duty, mutiple truck cars that have hand brakes and two brake systems, the car owner would stencil one end the B end.