Boxcar, 50 Foot, Wood, Double-Door

History: Cars of this style appeared around 1929 on several western railroads, where they were used to handle automobiles, furniture and lumber products. Their double-wide doors simplified loading these cargoes, which did not fit well in smaller cars. Like most cars of this period, steel and wood parts were used in construction. Many remained in service into the 1960s. Most of these cars had roofs with flat steel panels.

The outside braced single sheathed box car proved to be a significant development in railway freight car technology. The use of steel for the under frame (center and side sills), side and end frames initiated a new form of railway freight car building technology. Steel center sills and other under sill framing gave the cars the strength necessary to withstand the stress of longer and faster trains as well as the considerable stress involved in the contact necessary to activate closure of the knuckle coupler while being made up into trains in rail yards or from being picked up from local sidings along the line. The steel frame and the single wood side sheath minimized the weight of the car. This type of car design led to easy construction and repair. Its initial construction cost was low. The design provided secure joints between sides, ends and floors which prevented grain leakage.

Railroad/Company: This set of items is comprised of more than one name. Please look at the component items for details on the specific roadnames and/or manufacturers.