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What freight cars carry wood chips and sawdust, respectively

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  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Canada
  • 1,820 posts
Posted by cv_acr on Monday, November 21, 2011 3:48 PM

Railroads have used all sorts of cars in woodchip service, from regular boxcars (with or without normal doors), converted boxcars, gondolas and hoppers to purpose built hoppers and gondolas for woodchip service.

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp31201&o=cprail

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp31762&o=cprail

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=cp343264&o=cprail

http://canadianfreightcargallery.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=nfpx1511&o=nfpx

http://imagebase.lib.vt.edu/browse.php?folio_ID=/trans/nss/cars/hop/woo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25374341@N02/5540524176/

Hoppers were common in some geographical areas, but in many others gondolas (including converted boxcars and mill gondolas) were more common. (Please note and understand the distinction between hoppers and gondolas. I don't know why, but some people really seem to have a hard time with this for some reason.)

  • Member since
    October 2008
  • From: Canada
  • 1,820 posts
Posted by cv_acr on Monday, November 21, 2011 3:39 PM

Mr. LMD
 

Could you use the sawdust for mulch or other products?

No, mulch is made from woodchips (sometimes chipped bark). Sawdust is too fine. It would also simply blow away if you tried to ship it (even woodchips tended to blow out of cars in transit). Woodchips are used by OSB/chipboard mills and for pulp & paper-making.

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • 569 posts
Posted by ratled on Monday, November 21, 2011 3:12 PM

Mr. LMD

 jrbernier:

 

Could you use the sawdust for mulch or other products?

Anytime after 1934 they used it to make Prest o Logs. In the 1970's (?) it was chip board and later MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard).  Also chips are used for OSB (Oriented Strand Board).  The closer to current day the less likely they burned it .  If they did, the earlier stuff was in the iconic wigwams.  Later it would be in generator building for making electricity. 

These are general statements that should help you.  Did you have a specific era, local or company in mind?

ratled

 

Modeling the Klamath River area in HO on a proto-lanced sub of the SP “The State of Jefferson Line”

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Monday, November 21, 2011 11:35 AM

Bangor and Aroostook converted a large number of old 40' box cars to wood chip cars by plating over the doors, removing the top, and adding side extensions like the green car below. These cars are kitbashed and sold by the Eastern Maine Model RR Club, see near the bottom of this page
http://emmrc.freeyellow.com/projects.htm

There is a loaded one in this photo
http://users.silcon.com/~lgoss/bar4566.htm

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
Posted by Mr. LMD on Monday, November 21, 2011 9:40 AM

jrbernier

  Sawdust is usually burned at the mill.  Chips can be carried in old box cars  or in large 'chip' cars(sort of extra long coal hoppers)  Here is a web link to some models of these cars:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO-Scale-Woodchip-Gondola-Cars-s/2552.htm

Jim.

 

Could you use the sawdust for mulch or other products?

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, November 21, 2011 8:54 AM

Woodchips used to be carried in modified hopper cars too. Railroads would take old coal hopper cars and weld extensions on them - kinda like "regular" ore cars that had taconite extensions added. (Obviously woodchips are a lot lighter than coal.)

http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/910-6803

Stix
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Monday, November 21, 2011 7:50 AM

  Sawdust is usually burned at the mill.  Chips can be carried in old box cars  or in large 'chip' cars(sort of extra long coal hoppers)  Here is a web link to some models of these cars:

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/HO-Scale-Woodchip-Gondola-Cars-s/2552.htm

Jim.

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    September 2011
  • From: chicago, Illinois
  • 683 posts
What freight cars carry wood chips and sawdust, respectively
Posted by Mr. LMD on Monday, November 21, 2011 5:18 AM

For their respectively freight car use, what freight cars carried sawdust and wood chips left over from the mill?

Mr. LMD, Owner, founder

The Central Chicago & Illinois Railroad

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