Odd looking freight car

[Mikeygaw]

Every once in a while I see what looks like a box car with its sides removed, and X's throughout the inside of the car, and its always empty. Anyone know what this car is used for, or is it just and old boxcar being scrapped?

[Anonymous]

I think what you are talking about may be a Center-beam flatcar, carying wood like the 4x8 sheets you would get for your layout.

[Modelcar]

....Watch for cars loaded with lumber stacked as high as the ends and center support would be either paper wrapped or lumber right out in the open...That will most likely be a center beam car as explained above and the one you have been asking of....The loads are secured by straps coming over the top from the center beams and continuing down the sides to fasten to the floor edge of the car.

[adrianspeeder]

This is only a model, but it is half loaded so it will give you a good idea what is going on with this type of car.
http://www.grahamstrains.com/16380.html

Adrianspeeder

(hey 100!!!)

[Mookie]

Congrats Adrian - you are speeding right along. oh....where is Dandy Dan when I need him!

Anyway - keep talking!

Mookie

[locomutt]

Beware of Center Beam Flats!!!!!

If you unload one side first,
It falls over to the other side[:D]
Who would have THUNK[?]
loco-locomutt[8D]

[CShaveRR]

Empty FBCs (Center-Beam is a trademark, I think, so I hesitate to call all of them that) are some of the most derailment-prone cars in our yard, thanks to the long drawbars and the high center of gravity. And, yes, you have to watch how you load and unload them, keeping the weight evenly distributed during the entire process. I haven't seen one fall over, but they're all prominently marked with the warning signs.

[dharmon]

Umm boss, listen, umm yeah, umm like we only needed the forklift to unload one side of the car, the other side unloaded itself.

[jchnhtfd]

Another possibility is one of the Thrall 'All Door' box cars, with all the doors open -- does it have a roof?

but it does sound like an FBC...

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

This is only a model, but it is half loaded so it will give you a good idea what is going on with this type of car.
http://www.grahamstrains.com/16380.html

Adrianspeeder

(hey 100!!!)

Congratulations on your 100th post and second star, Adrian! The third won't be far off!

[Anonymous]

Can You Just Imagine A Loco mechanic Walking Into The Office All Cut Up
After Working On A Loco
______________________________________________________________
boss-What Happened To You
AMTRAK employee-Im Gonna Give You Some Advice
If You Go To Fix A Chian In The Drive System Youd Better Turn The Loco Off
Cause You Cant Stop It By Hand (Its Like A Machine Or Somethin)?[:D]

[locomutt]

Good answer dharmon, Think we really need the forklift at all.
locomutt[?]

[Mikeygaw]

a little more info after might be helpful... the roof and sides facing other cars are in place... the missing sides are the sides we would see if we were stopped at a crossing