"Heavyweight" and "lightweight" have no official definitions. PRR P70 coaches were heavyweights, but they had 4-wheel trucks, as did lots of other heavyweight coaches. "Lightweight" is almost a synonym for "built with smooth sides and roof"; some "lightweight" cars had 6-wheel trucks.
The American Flyer coaches were an in-between.
I'm guessing a heavyweight Pullman rode at least as well as a lightweight sleeper, but I was never in one. Maybe the heavyweight was quieter?
Was the switch to lightweight cars strictly an economy measure or where they actually an improvement in comfort and ride over the older heavyweight cars?
Additionally, did all heavyweights ride on six wheel trucks and lightweights on four? Or is their more to it than that? What were the pros and cons of four vs six wheel trucks?
I've done some general background reading on this but I know there is a lot to this topic so appreciate everyone's insight. Thank you.
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