So, in the 1940’s and 1950’s, what would grain have been hauled in? Boxcars? When did covered hoppers start showing up?
Covered hoppers have been around a long time. They started out just that…coal type hoppers with a lid on them. If my memory serves me correct, the first ones were in the late 30’s. It was in the 50’s that grain cars began to show up as specifically manufactured as such. Up until then the majority of the grain was carried in box cars that had small doors that grain could be dumped into the car from the top or upper side. To empty the car, just open the side doors. Not very efficient, but it worked.
According to the MR book “Industries Along the Tracks” they started out using wood planks that would be nailed to the inside of the door about 3/4 of the way up. In the 40’s they were replaced by commercial wood grain doors that looked like they were about a foot wide and often found in piles at the elevators or mills. The plug door boxcars did not come into existence until the 60’s as well as single use, reinforced paper grain doors. Boxcars were used well into the 70’s. Three bay, 70 ton covered hoppers were first used in the late 50’s and the four bay 100 ton hoppers in the early 60’s gradually replacing all boxcar service.
-Brian
Ya…what Brian said…
So, they used a standard boxcar, but planked up the door from the inside, and poured the grain in that way? Hm…
I remember recently seeing a “how to” article somewhere (MR?) showing a boxcar with the panels installed in the doorway, thought I doubt they were shipped in transit with the doors open. I think the kit was ment to show cars along sidings being loaded or unloaded.
Cool. I have some O scale plans for a grain silo from an old Tom Yorke kit. Hoping to scale that up to 1;20 and add another industry!
Marty Cozad in Nebraska City, Ne has a Grain Elevator. Size matters.
Here is an interesting article on grain elevators from Wiki-pedia. You should probably build one of each type. There is even a photo of a boxcar being loaded in one of the photos.
However, if you don’t should on me, I won’t should on you. :lol:
The small print said it’s ok to use this.
If you want to see 100’s of grain elevators try grainelevators.ca.
Frank
Outfit in Canada has a good plan for one. Advertise in the small ads in GR mag.
Jerry
Jerry Barnes said:
Outfit in Canada has a good plan for one. Advertise in the small ads in GR mag.Jerry
Yep, they sure do! http://www.brewerplans.com/structures.htm