my ESPEE MODELERS ARCHIVE

California's Railroad to the U.S. 1861 - 1996

Index

[ Class "X" - Boxcar types ] [Class "R" - Refrigerator Car types ] [ Class "V" - Ventilator Car types ]

[ Class "S" - Stock Car type ] [ Class "H" - Hopper Car types ] [ Class "F" - Flat Car types ]

[ Class "L" - Special Car types ] [ Class "T" - Tank Car types ] [ Class "G" - Gondola Car types ]

Class "X" - Boxcar Types

"XC" - A house car having individual compartments w/ a multiplicity of side doors and suitable for general commodity loading.

"XL" - Loader Equipped. A house car similar in design to "XM", either fully or partially lined w/ steel perforated sidewalls or equipped w/ interior side rails or stanchions and crossmembers, for securement of certain types of lading and/or permanently attached movable bulkheads. Note: Cars equipped with side rails only, built new, rebuilt or re-class after 1-1-1966, in order to qualify as "XL", shall have a minimum of four rails extending from the doorway to within 4' of the end of the car, plus facilities in doorway to accommodate doorway members. These facilities are NOT required for plug door equipped cars.

"XM" - Box. A house car for general service and especially for lading requiring protection from the weather, w/ or w/o lading tie anchors, and equipped with side or side and end doors.

"XP" - A house car similar in design to a "XM", but specially equipped for specific commodity loading and not suitable for misc. commodity loading. Note: It is recommended that when "XP" is used, a brief note be included in the ORER describing the special equipment and the service the car is intended for.

"XR" - Auto Device Car. A house car similar in design to "XM" box either lined or unlined, with side or side and end doors and equipped w/ loading racks and/or floor tubes w/ tie down chains for loading setup automobiles or trucks.

"XT" - A house car w/ or w/o doors either metal lined or enclosing one or more tanks.

Note- When any of the foregoing Class "X" cars are insulated, the letter "I" should be added to the designation.

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Class "R" - Refrigerator Car Types

"RA" - Brine-Tank Refrigerator. A house car equipped with insulation and brine-tanks. Designed primarily for the combined use of crushed ice and salt and usually without ventilating devices. Used chiefly for meats and other packinghouse products.

"RAM" - Similar to "RA" but equipped with beef rails.

"RB" - A bunkerless refrigerator car similar in design to an "RS" car w/ or w/o ventilating devices and w/ or w/o devices for attaching portable heaters. Constructed with a minimum of 3" of insulation in sides and ends and 3.5" on ends and roof ( based on AAR Supplement to Manual Plate C-2).

"RBL" - A car similar in construction to a "RB", but equipped in addition with adjustable loading or stowing devices ( refer to note on "XL" entry for qualifications regarding "L" usage).

"RCD" - Solid Carbon Dioxide Refrigerator. A house car equipped with insulation, w/ or w/o means of ventilation and provided w/ a system of refrigeration in which Solid Carbon Dioxide is employed as the primary refrigerant.

"RP" - Mechanical Refrigerator. A house car equipped w/ insulation w/ or w/o means of ventilation and provided w/ apparatus or other device for protection against heat or cold. Apparatus operated by power other than through the car axle.

"RPL" - Mechanical Refrigerator. Similar to "RP", but equipped in addition with adjustable loading or stowage device.

"RPM" - Mechanical Refrigerator, similar to "RP" but equipped with beef rails.

"RS" - Bunker Refrigerator. A fully insulated house car equipped w/ ice bunkers. Designed primarily for use of chunk ice and w/ or w/o means of ventilation.

"RSB" - Bunker Refrigerator. A fully insulated house car equipped w/ ice bunkers and air circulating fans. Designed primarily for use in bulk potato or similar type loading as cars are equipped w/ slope sheets and conveyors and/or equipment for mechanical loading and unloading.

"RSM" - Bunker Refrigerator, similar to "RS" but equipped with beef rails.

"RSTC" - Bunker Refrigerator. A fully insulated house car equipped w/ one or two ice bunkers or brine tanks, w/ or w/o ventilators, equipped w/ thermostatic controlled electric fan forced air circulating system, powered by equipment mounted on car.

"RCTM" - Bunker Refrigerator, similar to "RSTC", but equipped w/ beef rails.

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Class "V" - Ventilator Car types

"VA" - Fruit-Vegetable Ventilated Box. Similar in design to a "XM" general service boxcar, but w/ both end and/or side ventilators and w/ or w/o double sliding side doors. When equipped with double doors, one door is solid and the other door is screened.

"VM" - Fruit-Vegetable Ventilator. Similar in design to ventilated boxcar "VA", except that is partially insulated.

"VS" - Fruit-Vegetable Insulated ventilator. A house car equipped w/ insulation and hinged swinging side doors and means of ventilation. Not equipped for refrigeration, although sometimes provided w/ shallow boxes under hatches to protect lading, but not to contain ice. Sometimes called "produce car".

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Class "S" - Stock Car types

"SA" - Stock Car. A car equipped for transport of stock on hoof ( except horses and mules), equipped w/ roof, slatted sides and doors and fixed deck located sufficiently high to permit the loading of cattle on the lower deck. W/ or W/O feed and water troughs.

"SC" - Stock Car. This car is for transport of stock on the hoof, and is equipped with roof, slated sides and doors, and convertible single or double deck. W/ or W/O feed or water troughs.

"SD" - Stock Car. Composite having drop doors in floor and means of housing in sides and making drop-bottom box car.

"SF" - Stock Car. This car is for transport of stock on the hoof and is equipped w/ roof, slatted sides and doors, and fixed double deck. W/ or W/O feed or water troughs.

"SH" - Horse Car. A car specially fitted for transport of horses in freight service.

"SM" - Stock Car. Car for transport of stock on the hoof, and is equipped w/ roof and slatted sides and doors, and single deck. W/ or W/O feed or water troughs.

"SP" - Stock Car. Used in poultry trade, fitted w/ roof and sides usually of wire netting, fitted w/ shelves for storing of crates of poultry and leaving space for poultrymen, feed bag and watering facilities.

"ST" - Stock Car. This car is for transport of stock on the hoof and is equipped w/ roof, slatted sides and doors, and fixed triple deck. W/ or W/O feed or water troughs.

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Class "H" - Hopper Car Types

"HD" - An Open-Top self-clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of two or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged length-wise for dumping outside of rails.

"HE" - An Open-Top car, not self-clearing, having fixed sides and ends, and level bottom w/ two or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged cross-wise for dumping between the rails.

"HF" - An Open-Top self clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of two or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged cross-wise for dumping between the rails; also two divided hoppers extending from end of car to bolster, w/ doors hinged length-wise of car and dumping outside of rails.

"HFA" - An Open-Top self clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of two or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged length-wise for dumping outside and/or inside of the rails; also one divided hopper extending from end of car to bolster, w/ doors hinged length-wise of car and dumping outside of rails.

"HFB" - An Open-Top self clearing car, having fixed sides, ends, and bottom, consisting of one or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged length-wise for dumping inside rail; also cross hoppers w/ doors dumping between or between and outside of rail.

"HK" - An Open-Top self clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of two or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged lengthwise of car and dumping inside or outside of rails.

"HM" - An Open-Top self clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of two or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged crosswise of car and dumping between rails.

"HMA" - An Open-Top self clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of two or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged lengthwise of car and dumping between rails.

"HT" - An Open-Top self-clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of three or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged crosswise of car and dumping between rails.

"HTA" - An Open-Top self-clearing car, having fixed sides and ends, and bottom consisting of three or more divided hoppers w/ doors hinged lengthwise of car and dumping between rails.

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Class "F" - Flat Car types

"FA" - A flat car specifically equipped w/ multi-level racks or decks for the loading and transport of setup vehicles, not suitable for misc. commodities.

"FC" - A flat car or other type car specifically equipped to carry trucks, trailers, or removable trailer bodies for the transport of freight.

"FD" - Depressed Center Flat. A flat car of special construction having the portion of floor extending between trucks depressed to provide necessary headroom for certain classes of lading.

"FG" - Flat or gun truck car for special transportation of heavy ordinance or other heavy commodities.

"FL" - Flat logging car or logging truck. This is either an ordinary flat car or car consisting of two trucks fitted w/ cross supports over the bolsters; the trucks connected by a skeleton or flexible frame and logs loaded lengthwise on the cross supports.

"FM" - Ordinary flat car for general service. this car has flooring laid over sills and w/o sides or ends.

"FW" - Flat well hole car for special transport of Plate Glass etc. This car is a flat car w/ hole in middle to enable lading to be dropped down on account of clearance limits.

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Class "L" - Special Car types

"LB" - A boxcar with high sliding doors at center, both sides. Balance of sides, approximately the lower half, provided each side with two or more doors hinged at the top to open outward with suitable locks at bottom.

"LC" - A boxcar with side doors and roof hatches. May be equipped with end doors.

"LF" - A flat car equipped to handle one or more demountable containers for transportation of commodities not under refrigeration.

"LFA" - A flat car equipped to handle one or more demountable containers for transportation of commodities immersed in liquids or gases.

"LFR" - A flat car supplied with a power unit and equipped to handle one or more demountable containers for transportation of commodities under refrigeration.

"LG" - An open top car equipped to handle one or more demountable containers for transportation of commodities not under refrigeration.

"LM" - A car equipped with one or more permanently enclosed containers or tanks, provided with one or more openings for loading and equipped for pneumatic or gravity unloading. Car is suitable for handling certain dry powdered or granular commodities, and also low viscosity, non-dangerous liquid commodities.

"LO" - A permanently enclosed car, other than a house or boxcar, regardless of exterior or interior shape, for handling dry powdered or granular commodities, w/ or w/o insulation and provided w/ openings for loading through top or sides with weather-tight covers or doors. Car may be provided w/ one or more bottom openings for unloading , w/ tight fitting covers, doors, valves, or tight fitting slide or gate to prevent leakage of lading. Car may be provided w/ facilities for discharge of lading through openings and tops and sides and may have one or more compartments. Mechanical or other means may be provided within car to expedite loading or unloading.

"LP" - An open top car having solid bottom and fixed ends, w/ or w/o fixed sides ( either slatted or solid). Also with or without running boards having guard rails. Suitable for handling pulpwood.

"LRC" - A boxcar, heavily insulated; with to without ventilation, with or without hatches, with or without gravity conveyors for loading or unloading. May have cross partitions forming compartments. Designed primarily for the transportation of Solid Carbon Dioxide.

"LS" - A car of special construction having two separable interlocking units that form a car body. Units may be separated and the load interposed between and locked in place to form a complete transportation unit ( editor's note: this is the type of car used to move large transformers referred to as a Schnabel car after the German manufacturer).

"LU" - An enclosed car with roof, having a special metal beam at the top of each side to support a series of retractable overhead side doors and their appurtenances, to other types of doors, running substantially the length of the car, which beams also support the roof details. Car may also be equipped w/ special loading devices or racks for handling various commodities.

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Class "T" - Tank Car types

Tank car means any car which is used only for the transportation of liquids, liquefied gases, compressed gases or solids that are liquefied prior to unloading. Car maybe w/o underframe if superstructure is designed to serve as underframe. If car has underframe, it must be designed only for the carriage of one or more enclosed containers ( w/ or w/o compartments) that form the superstructure and are an integral part of the car. All such containers must be securely attached to the underframe when offered for transportation but may have demountable features. Before any car may be considered a tank car hereunder, the design of all such containers must have be approved by:

1. the AAR Committee on Tank Cars as having met all applicable AAR specifications and requirements and
2. by said committee or under certain appropriate cases, by the ICC as having met all applicable specifications and requirements of Sub-Part I of the Regulations for Transportation of Explosives and Other Dangerous Articles.

"TA" - Tank car equipped w/ container of ICC spec 103A, 103A-W, 103E-W, 103A-N-W, 103C, 103C-W, and 11A100-W-6. Also ARA-II, ARA-III, ICC-103, ICC-103-W or ICC111A100-W-2 if containers and appurtenances were originally designed or reconstructed to comply w/ the requirements of ICC-103A cars.

"TG" - Tank car having one or more glass lined containers of ICC specification 103W-A.

"THI" - Insulated tank car equipped w/ heater device which permits in transit heating of lading. Apparatus powered by other means than through the axle.

"TL" - Tank car equipped w/ container lined w/ any material other than glass, such as ICC spec 103B, 103B-W, 103B100-W, 111A100-W-5, 105A300-W ( rubber lined). Also ARA-III ( rubber lined).

"TM" - Tank car equipped w/ container of ARA or ARR specification I,II,III, III Experimental Welded Seams, IV,203, 203-W, 203-X, or ICC spec 103, 103-W, 103D-W, 104, 104-W, ICC-111A100-W-1, ICC-111A100-W-3 or spec EMERGENCY USG-A, USG-B, USG-C.

"TMU" - Tank car equipped w/ container of ARA spec VI, B, E, Spec 27, ICC Spec 27, 51, 106A500, 106A500-X, 106A800, 106A800-X, 106A88-NCI, , 107A **** series 110A500-W or 100A800-W.

"TP" - Tank car equipped w/ container of ARA Spec IV-A, V or AAR 205A300-W, or ICC Spec 104A, 104A-W, 105, 105A100, 105A100-W, 105A200-W, 105A300, 105A300-W, 105A400, 105A400-W, 105A500, 105A500-W, 105A600, 105A600-W, 109A300-W, 111A100-W-4, 112A400-W or 112A500-W.

"TPA" - Tank car equipped w/ aluminum container of ICC Spec 104A-AL-W, 105A100AL-W, 105A200AL-W, 105A300AL-W, 109A100AL-W, 109A200AL-W or 109A300AL-W.

"TR" - Tank car equipped w/ container of AAR Spec 201A35, 201A35 SPECIAL, 201A35-W, 201A35-X, 201A70-W or ICC Spec 103AL, 103AL-W, 103A-AL-W, 103c-AL and 111A60AL-W.

"TVI" - Tank car equipped w/-insulated container having an inner and outer shell w/ a vacuum in the annular space to AAR Spec 204-W.

"TW" - Tank car equipped w/ one or more wooden containers of ICC Spec 108 or 108A.

Note: Where insulated containers are used in any of the preceding Tank Car Type Classes, the letter "I" should be appended to their applicable designating letters. For example TAI, TGI, etc. The exception would be class THI.

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Class "G" - Gondola Car types

"GA" - An Open Top Car having fixed sides and ends and drop bottom, consisting of doors hinged cross-wise of car to dump between the rails.

"GB" - An Open Top Car, having fixed sides, fixed or drop ends and solid bottom, suitable for (steel) mill trade.

"GD" - An Open Top Car, having fixed or drop ends, solid bottom and sides equipped w/ doors for dumping.

"GE" - An Open Top Car having fixed sides, drop ends and drop bottom, consisting of doors hinged cross-wise of car to dump between the rails.

"GH" - An Open Top Car having fixed sides, drop ends and drop bottom, consisting of doors hinged at center sill to dump outside of rails.

"GRA" - An Open Top Car having fixed sides and ends and level bottom, and one or more hoppers to dump outside of rails.

"GS" - An Open Top Car having fixed sides and ends and drop bottom, consisting of doors hinged at center sill or side sills to dump outside and/or inside of rails.

"GT" - An Open Top Car, having high fixed and ends and solid bottom, suitable for unloading coal on dumping machines only, but not suitable for (steel) mill trade.

"GW" - An Open Top Well-Hole Car for transportation of special commodities. A solid bottom car w/ fixed sides and ends, having one or more openings or depressions in floor permitting the lading to be lowered to permit overhead clearance.

NOTE: When Gondola cars are equipped w/ any or all of the following modifications, the suffixes provided should be added to the primary classification in the order of the notes.

1. Note 1: Where cars are equipped with permanent racks for stowing parts or equipped ( or modified) to permit loading of a particular commodity, the letter "S" should be added to the designating letters ( i.e. GBS).
2. Note 2: Any gondolas equipped with coke racks, should have the letter "C" added to the designating letters (i.e. GEC).
3. Note 3: Any gondolas equipped with removable roof or covers for protection of lading shall have the letter "R" added to designating letters ( i.e. GBSR).

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