Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Rolling stock road number location

1950 views
10 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Louisville
  • 588 posts
Rolling stock road number location
Posted by dbduck on Thursday, August 10, 2023 1:03 PM

I have been given the task to decorate 2 tank cars (HO) for a donor at our museum, one for the layout & one for the business to display. They are wanting them to look as prototypcal as possible

I think I already have the answer..but will ask anyway

Is it an AAR requirement that the road number & weight capacity information always be on the left side of the car? I have looked through numerous photos of mine as well as online & have not found any car/s with that info to the right of center

 

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Thursday, August 10, 2023 2:07 PM

The AAR seems to use that catchall phrase "Recommended Practice" just like the NMRA. You can stray from the norm but at your own peril.

 AAR_Tank by Edmund, on Flickr

Further notes:

 AAR_Tank_0001 by Edmund, on Flickr

 AAR_Tank_0002 by Edmund, on Flickr

 AAR_Tank_0003 by Edmund, on Flickr

 AAR_Tank_Manhole by Edmund, on Flickr

 AAR_Tank_closure by Edmund, on Flickr

For some sharp reference photos I suggest the excellent photos at the A.C.F. album of the Barriger Library at Flickr:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/barrigerlibrary/albums/72157649155982802

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    May 2019
  • 1,314 posts
Posted by BEAUSABRE on Thursday, August 10, 2023 5:46 PM

Uh, where do you thing the NMRS got that phrase? Today other industries call it "best practice"

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Friday, August 11, 2023 2:33 AM

BEAUSABRE
Uh, where do you thing the NMRS got that phrase?

Not sure what your point is? I got the information here:

 AAR_Practice by Edmund, on Flickr

My copy is getting a little tattered. It has seen some hard use in the last 64 years.

Regards, Ed

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Friday, August 11, 2023 3:44 PM

BEAUSABRE

Uh, where do you thing the NMRS got that phrase? Today other industries call it "best practice"

 

 
Of course, the government had the power to not allow a car into interchange service if they determined a car was too far off from their "recommended practices", so railroads tried to follow the recommendations as much as possible.
Stix
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Northfield Center TWP, OH
  • 2,538 posts
Posted by dti406 on Friday, August 11, 2023 4:24 PM

Not tank cars but the Wabash and New Haven reversed the lettering with the car number on the left side of the car. They did chastise the New Haven a bit because the dimensionAl data was covered up by an open car door.

 

Rick Jesionowski 

Rule 1: This is my railroad.

Rule 2: I make the rules.

Rule 3: Illuminating discussion of prototype history, equipment and operating practices is always welcome, but in the event of visitor-perceived anacronisms, detail descrepancies or operating errors, consult RULE 1!

  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,898 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Friday, August 11, 2023 10:25 PM

wjstix

 

 
BEAUSABRE

Uh, where do you thing the NMRS got that phrase? Today other industries call it "best practice"

 

 

 
Of course, the government had the power to not allow a car into interchange service if they determined a car was too far off from their "recommended practices", so railroads tried to follow the recommendations as much as possible.
 

It should be noted that the Association of American Railroads is not a government agency.  It is a trade association.

That being said, I'm sure the AAR was trying to standardize placement of any government required information on freight cars.

Jeff 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Canterlot
  • 9,575 posts
Posted by zugmann on Friday, August 11, 2023 11:01 PM

---

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Saturday, August 12, 2023 12:22 AM

BEAUSABRE
Uh, where do you thing the NMRS got that phrase? Today other industries call it "best practice"

In my experience it depends on the directional flow of the information.

Anything coming from above is called a recommended practice, just a gentle way of saying that is how they want it done,

Anything coming from the bottom is presented as a best practice, as in this works for us, so other locations should try it also.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Saturday, August 12, 2023 8:35 AM

SeeYou190
In my experience it depends on the directional flow of the information.

I agree with that but see a different flow.

If you tell me I have to do something, its a standard.

If you suggest I should do something, its a recommended practice.

If I like what you are doing and copy it, it's best practice.

Standard and recommended practice are pushes, best practice is a pull.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, August 14, 2023 1:03 PM

jeffhergert
It should be noted that the Association of American Railroads is not a government agency.  It is a trade association.

That being said, I'm sure the AAR was trying to standardize placement of any government required information on freight cars. Jeff 

Yes, I believe that is correct on both points. Once a railroad car goes off the owner's property, it's part of interstate commerce, so is subject to federal regulation.

Stix

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!