Grain Hopper Cars

[Anonymous]

What are the sizes of cars with 2, 3, and 4 hoppers? Tonnage differences? And why are some grain hopper cars have a roundish look to them? Are they special in some way?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

In general terms (there are many, many, many variables involved):

Almost all covered hoppers constructed since 1970 are 263,000 lb. gross weight, 100-ton nominal capacity cars, and since 1995 are 286,000 lb. gross weight, 110-ton nominal capacity. Cubic feet varies according to the commodity expected to be loaded into the car.

Two-bay covered hoppers are small cube used for cement, granite chips, and other dense minerals.

Three-bay are medium cube used for grain, fertilizer, potash, and the like. The standard 100-ton wheat car is a 4750 cubic foot car, whereas a 110-ton corn car is a 5161 cubic foot car (corn isn't as dense as wheat).

Four-bay used to only be high cube used for lightweight plastic pellets, but now four-bay cars are specified by some owners for grain and fertilizer, too.

Some manufacturers find it less expensive to build a ribbed, flat-sided car. Others prefer to build a ribless, curved-side car. It really doesn't matter much to the railroad; it's the price that counts.

[athelney]

We tend to get the curved sided grain cars over here on the west coast of Canada - mainly in the CPWX and CNWX number series . We do get the flat sided but not in great quantity unless the train originates in the US.

[XG01X]

Well I can't top Mark![:D]
But I noticed that ADM in Decatur, IL has some brand new 4-bay hoppers.(new scheme) Looks like a stretched 5161, don't know if its corn or beans but it would be alot of either.
Travis

[joseph2]

Travis,4-bay cars could be for soy bean meal.The stuff is low density. Joe G.

[CShaveRR]

Correct...the soybean cars have a capacity of 5461 cubic feet (at least the Trinity version does).