Originally
designed at the height of the Great Depression, the first ten cars
of this
 design
were delivered to Santa Fe in an austere black paint scheme. Covered
hoppers have always been used for any bulk cargo
that had to be protected from the elements. Some have the impression
that covered hoppers are used mostly for grain. Nothing can be further
from the truth. In fact, moving grain  in
covered hoppers has only been commonplace since the 1960's. Before
that period, most grain moved in 40' box cars with grain doors temporarily
nailed over the doorways. In the steam era, covered hoppers
were used for cement, sand, clay, talc, and other powders. The cargo
was loaded through eight square hatches
in the roof. To empty the car, the hatches at the bottom are opened
and the load spills out. At this point, some low man on the company
ladder would have to climb into the car with a broom and sweep out
the corners and the center sill. The American Car & Foundry covered
hopper design was such a success that it became a defacto standard
for years. Even Pullman Standard (ACF's arch enemy)
built cars to the same design. The distinctive open triangles in the
sides make these cars easily
distinguishable even from a distance. ACF would also develop a version
without the open triangles which was not as
prolific as the version presented here. Amazingly, many of these cars
are still in use today, in MOW and lineside service. Many have been
rebuilt as ballast hoppers, including for SP, CSX, Amtrak, and Santa
Fe. |
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