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Post by nebrzephyr on Mar 4, 2013 7:39:17 GMT -8
I'm curious. In what time frame did railroads start removing roof walks on box cars that they already owned (not new manufactured cars).
Thanks. Bob
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Post by Deleted on Mar 4, 2013 8:04:18 GMT -8
In 1968 the AAR legislated the removal of roof walks. This was to be completed by 1978 for cars in interchange service.
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Post by slowfreight on Mar 4, 2013 8:26:11 GMT -8
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Post by nebrzephyr on Mar 4, 2013 13:41:56 GMT -8
In 1968 the AAR legislated the removal of roof walks. This was to be completed by 1978 for cars in interchange service. Thanks, that means box cars with no roof walks work fine for mid 80's time frame layout. Bob |
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Post by antoniofp45 on Mar 4, 2013 15:24:45 GMT -8
I hope this helps.
Although the "mandate" was to have the roofwalks removed by 1978, I was a teen then and in 1979 there were still some a number of sliding door boxcars in revenue service that had their roofwalks on them. Of course, their end-ladders were cut to deny climbing access.
In the Tampa Bay area, the SCL gradually crammed a couple of yards with many of these cars, each awaiting the appointment with the blowtorch. To me, the timing coincided with the sudden explosion in the numbers of brand new Yellow "Railbox" cars that seemed to be everywhere. I appreciated being around then as it was so cool to see equipment from the late 1940s and 50s still rolling just before the end of their careers. Built "solid American tough" had a literal meaning then.
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Post by Amboy Secondary on Mar 4, 2013 17:06:55 GMT -8
I hope this helps.
Although the "mandate" was to have the roofwalks removed by 1978, I was a teen then and in 1979 there were still some a number of sliding door boxcars in revenue service that had their roofwalks on them. Of course, their end-ladders were cut to deny climbing access.
The removal of roof walks began in the late 1960s. New cars delivered began arriving with no roof walk and low hand brakes. Programs to remove roof walks on existing equipment were instituted around the same time. Cars with short lifespans retained high hand brakes until retirement, although roofwalks were removed. Some Canadian ownership cars still had high hand brakes in the early '90s, although the roof walks were removed. Some non revenue cars not subject to interchange retained roof walks until retired. Joe |
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Post by riogrande on Mar 4, 2013 18:51:08 GMT -8
I'll have to rewatch some video's I have from the 1970's but I recall roofalkers were increasingly uncommon as the 70's progressed.
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Post by wp8thsub on Mar 4, 2013 20:21:40 GMT -8
Careful about mateial in places like the HO Sam site, as there are a lot of missing details and errors with regard to dates. Railcar safety appliances in the US are governed by Title 49 of the US Code and applicable regulations. Per 49 CFR 231.27(i), the change in running boards was for cars under construction by April 1, 1966 and to enter service by October 1, 1966 www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/49/231.27 . The date set for compliance was moved back several times, although most cars were either in compliance or scrapped by the 1983 extension date. I'm aware of several roads with significant numbers of house cars with running boards into the early 80s, including Western Pacific, D&RGW, AT&SF, SP, and BN (usually still lettered for predecessor roads), but I'm sure there are others. Look on sites like Railcar Photos, rr-fallenflags, rrpicturearchives, or the Canadian freight car gallery for many an example of older cars retaining pre-1966 safety appliances until 1980 or later but remaining in interchange service. |
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Post by Judge Doom on Mar 4, 2013 20:53:31 GMT -8
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Post by shoofly on Mar 4, 2013 21:21:49 GMT -8
You can STILL see some boxcars floating around with high brakes! Not often but now and then. Kinda cool really. If I remember correctly they were some rebuilt R-70-15 reefers, they rebuilt the darn thing and left the high brake wheels...LOL  |
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Post by fr8kar on Mar 4, 2013 21:37:56 GMT -8
There are still quite a few cars with high brakes out there. They don't always work well and anyone working the train will pass them up if there are some low handbrakes nearby. When someone does tie one and leave it, it can be interesting getting it untied. It's not easy getting leverage up high like that. My hat is off to the brakemen of old who regularly dealt with them.
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Post by mopac101 on Mar 5, 2013 12:13:19 GMT -8
Here is the full range of dates:
1966 - Federal ban on running boards for new cars ordered after April 1st
10-1-1966 Federal ban on running boards for new cars delivered
1-1-1967 High mount hand brakes prohibited on new cars
1-1-1974 Running boards to be removed from all cars (extended)
12-31-1983 Running boards outlawed on all boxcars/reefers
note: Banned from interchange means AAR Interchange Rules
Outlawed means prohibited by federal law or regulation backed by law
High mounted hand brakes were never outlawed
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Post by edwardsutorik on Mar 5, 2013 13:34:50 GMT -8
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