boxcar orientation

[lisican]

Do boxcars have a front and back? Left and right? One of my n scale 50' box cars, can't remember the road off hand, has an L and an R on opposite sides, near the door. I assume they stand for Left and Right.  Why would the sides need to be marked? It seems arbitrary to which way the car is facing. My only guess is that it's for LCL, so a client can tell someone on the other end of the trip that their boxes are on the left or the right side of the car.

Out of the few dozen or so cars that I've got, only one has these markings. So yea if anyone could shed some light, I'd appreciate it.

thanks.

[markpierce]

The "B" end is the one with the brake wheel, the "A" end is the opposite.

[BillyDee53]

Yes they do have a front and rear. As was stated the brake wheel is on the B end, the oppsite end is the A end.  This allows employees to locate defects more easily...for example the axle bearings are numbered L1,2,3,4 and R 1,2,3,4...if an axle needs replacement it is written up on a defect card and everybody knows which axle is defective.

[gmpullman]

"A" END OF CAR
A term used to identify locations on a car, being the end opposite the "B" end. The term is commonly seen with "L" or "R" to designate either left or right side, i.e. "AL" or "AR." See "B" End of Car.B-END
The end of the car on which the hand brake is located.LEFT SIDE (L)
That side of a railcar on the left side of the observer when facing the "B" end of the car.

RIGHT SIDE (R)
When facing the "B" end of a railcar, the side of the car on the right. See "B" end."

As Bill said above it was an AAR standard designation mainly for maintenance and defect write ups.Same held true for locomotives but the important factor was the "F" designation for FRONT or forward direction of locomotive.  Take care...ED 

 

[lisican]

Hey thanks for the help. It makes sense now.