Hello friends,
What reporting marks to expect, besids VGN and SOO, on N&W freight car consists in the early 1980s in southern VA? I ask b/c that's they era and region I model. Besides mostly N&W, I have one or two NPP, BO, and CO for variety. Anything else I'm missing? Of course I can ask the historical society, but I thought to go here first.
Thanks!
A common carrier railroad would handle freight cars from any and all other railroads, so a car from any railroad in the continental US (or Canada) could possibly show up in a N&W freight. Freight cars roam all over the country moving freight, they aren't restricted (generally) to one railroad or area.
For non-N&W cars, you'd be most likely to see cars from railroads in the same general area such as the Southern, Chessie System or Conrail. On a long train you'd likely see a few cars from other large railroads like Santa Fe, Southern Pacific, or Burlington Northern.
In the early eighties, you might also see cars from pre-merger railroads (railroads that no longer existed) like Wabash, Great Northern, Northern Pacific.
For the 1980's about 1/3 the cars would be private owner, about 1/3 would be home road and the rest cars from all over the country.
A lot would depend on WHERE on the N&W. If you are modeling the coal country, then probably 50% would be home road because of all the coal cars. If you are modeling the line from St Louis to Kansas City, it would be higher on midwest cars. Around Michigan there would be higher numbers of the western roads and Canadian roads due to the autoparts business. The lines around St Louis, Memphisand New Orleans would be heavy on private owner chemical tank and covered hoppers.
Short answer is, as said previously, pretty much any reporting marks from any railroad in N American (US, Mexico and Canada) could be seen on the N&W.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
kasskaboose Hello friends, What reporting marks to expect, besids VGN and SOO, on N&W freight car consists in the early 1980s in southern VA? I ask b/c that's they era and region I model. Besides mostly N&W, I have one or two NPP, BO, and CO for variety. Anything else I'm missing? Of course I can ask the historical society, but I thought to go here first. Thanks!
I'm thinking you meant SOU for Southern. SOO Line is way up north in Minnesota, Wisconsin area for the most parts. That being said, not impossible to see SOO cars on the NW. In addition, you might find some NKP cars that have been patched for N&W (your're post merger). Wabash cars (WAB) patched for post merger. If your modelling after 1982, Norfolk Southern (NS) cars might start appearing. Family Lines (L&N, SCL) would still be seen until 1986. WM cars might still be around as well, but it was merged into C&O at some point. B&O and C&O were still in Chessie system or original paint until 1986/1987.
Im not sure where Monongahela's coal went, or if they had any other cars, but maybe MGA might appear from time to time.
You might see if you can acquire a ORER (The Official Railway Equipement Register) for your time period (not sure if they existed in the 1980). Each railroad operating on the date listed on cover is contained within as well as their rolling stock, interchange points and current interchange rules for the time period in question.
BMMECNYC If your modelling after 1982, Norfolk Southern (NS) cars might start appearing. Family Lines (L&N, SCL) would still be seen until 1986. WM cars might still be around as well, but it was merged into C&O at some point. B&O and C&O were still in Chessie system or original paint until 1986/1987.
First none of the Chessie roads was merged WM was controlled by the B&O.. The Mergers would come in '86, first the WM into the B&O then the B&O into the C&O and finally the C&O into CSX.
The majority of those cars you mention was seen well into the 90s and you can still see a Soo Line Gon or a Soo Line wheat mark covered hopper with Soo recording marks, A Seaboad System or Family line cars with CSX recording marks. I took this photo in or around 2010.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
BMMECNYCyou can acquire a ORER (The Official Railway Equipement Register) for your time period
They are available from EBAY
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=official+railway+equipment+register&_sacat=0
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
BRAKIEFirst none of the Chessie roads was merged WM was controlled by the B&O..
Actually it was jointly controlled by the B&O and C&O.
I forgot which railroad it was merged into. CSX Corporation (later Transportation) was formed on November 1, 1980. They continued to operate independently until 1986/1987 as mentioned.
Since you mentioned it, I'm well aware that SOO cars existed in 1990s. Never said they didn't. They in fact still exist patched for other railroads. Saw a few wheat mark hoppers on the RBMN in 2017.