CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Coal Car Cornucopia - 08-07-2020

Rail Fan Adventure --

Most of this stuff was scanned from slides for individuals.

1. Kelleys Creek & Northwestern 1002 had a load limit of 168,500 and a volume of 2970 cubic feet. It was built by Ortner Freight Car Co. in 1971. In a roller bearing age this car is equipped with plain bearings. Near Cedar Grove WV, on 03-16-1972. From much later dates more cars were acquired, and the series ran up into the 1040s at least.
Kelleys Creek & Northwestern 1002 had a load limit of 168,500 and a volume of 2970 cubic feet. It was built by Ortner Freight Car Co. in 1971. In a roller bearing age this car is equipped with plain bearings. Near Cedar Grove WV, on 03-16-1972. From much later dates more cars were acquired, and the series ran up into the 1040s at least.

2. KC&NW 1002 was owned by Valley Camp Coal. Although equipped with an ACI (Automatic Car Identification) plaque, it is doubtful the car ever left home rails. It was confined to shuttle service between the mine and the barge terminal on the Kanawha River. Being in captive service probably explains the plain bearing trucks. The railroad is gone now. 1972.
KC&NW 1002 was owned by Valley Camp Coal. Although equipped with an ACI (Automatic Car Identification) plaque, it is doubtful the car ever left home rails. It was confined to shuttle service between the mine and the barge terminal on the Kanawha River. Being in captive service probably explains the plain bearing trucks. The railroad is gone now. 1972.

3. Retired Pittsburgh & Lake Erie hopper 75185 was probably a member of the group built by Pullman Standard at their Butler PA plant in 1952. Looks like it had some work at McKees Rocks car shop in 1966. 1972.
Retired Pittsburgh & Lake Erie hopper 75185 was probably a member of the group built by Pullman Standard at their Butler PA plant in 1952. Looks like it had some work at McKees Rocks car shop in 1966. 1972.

4. South Carolina Public Service Authority purchased enough of these gons from Portec Railcar Group (Winder GA) to equip a train. The cars were built in February and March 1985, had a load limit of 221,000 and a volume of 3,850 cubic feet. Seen here on the switchback at Smiley VA, on 06-09-1985, they were commonly seen on Santee-Cooper coal trains from former L&N and C&O lines in Eastern Kentucky. SCWX 84013.
South Carolina Public Service Authority purchased enough of these gons from Portec Railcar Group (Winder GA) to equip a train. The cars were built in February and March 1985, had a load limit of 221,000 and a volume of 3,850 cubic feet. Seen here on the switchback at Smiley VA, on 06-09-1985, they were commonly seen on Santee-Cooper coal trains from former L&N and C&O lines in Eastern Kentucky. SCWX 84013.

5. SCWX gon 84025 at Levisa Jct. KY, on the Big Sandy SD. 07-26-1987.
SCWX gon 84025 at Levisa Jct. KY, on the Big Sandy SD. 07-26-1987.

6. SCWX gon 84047 passing the West End of Pauley near our house on 04-16-1985. At that time we lived across the street from the brick house you see through the brake rigging. A forest has since grown up which would have largely obscured my view of the track had we not built nearby and moved in 1988. Where I’m standing is now a front yard...don’t know how they stand all that blowing for the crossing to my left.
SCWX gon 84047 passing the West End of Pauley near our house on 04-16-1985. At that time we lived across the street from the brick house you see through the brake rigging. A forest has since grown up which would have largely obscured my view of the track had we not built nearby and moved in 1988. Where I’m standing is now a front yard...don’t know how they stand all that blowing for the crossing to my left.

7. SCWX gon 84048 in the same train of empties that probably went to the Coal Run SD.
SCWX gon 84048 in the same train of empties that probably went to the Coal Run SD.

8. A second track was built to link the WE Pauley with the EE Wagner passing siding to create a 25,000’ siding with Coal Run Jct. in the middle. The train is on the siding. SCWX gons.
A second track was built to link the WE Pauley with the EE Wagner passing siding to create a 25,000’ siding with Coal Run Jct. in the middle. The train is on the siding. SCWX gons.

9. SCWX gon 84049 at Shelby on 02-02-2002.
SCWX gon 84049 at Shelby on 02-02-2002.

10. SCWX gon 84058 on the same date. Portec merged into L. B. Foster Rail Technologies Inc. They didn’t advertise in my Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia for 1974. I’ve not photographed any others of this design, although the Dow Chemical unit trains operating out of Mingo Jct. OH, in the late 1970s had some non-standard cars (which I neglected to shoot...wasted film on ALCos). Note that private coal cars are often numbered in the year they were ordered or built, in this case 1984.
SCWX gon 84058 on the same date. Portec merged into L. B. Foster Rail Technologies Inc. They didn’t advertise in my Car and Locomotive Cyclopedia for 1974. I’ve not photographed any others of this design, although the Dow Chemical unit trains operating out of Mingo Jct. OH, in the late 1970s had some non-standard cars (which I neglected to shoot...wasted film on ALCos). Note that private coal cars are often numbered in the year they were ordered or built, in this case 1984.

11. After 15 years of service these cars are getting filthy! Coal Run Yard on 12-26-1999. Look at that rounded tub. SCWX 84070 gon.
After 15 years of service these cars are getting filthy! Coal Run Yard on 12-26-1999. Look at that rounded tub. SCWX 84070 gon.

12. Santee Cooper – Public Power Owned by the People of South Carolina. Shelby KY, on 02-04-1991. I only occasionally see a SCWX train now, and they are equipped with aluminum hoppers. SCWX 84056 gon.
Santee Cooper – Public Power Owned by the People of South Carolina. Shelby KY, on 02-04-1991. I only occasionally see a SCWX train now, and they are equipped with aluminum hoppers. SCWX 84056 gon.

13. Winifrede Railroad 65 is an ex-N&W H-9. These were built as class HL from 1936-40 with a load limit of 133,500 and a volume of 2,054 cubic feet. N&W rebuilt/repaired/reclassified them at the Princeton WV car shop from 1948-1957. West Carbon WV, 08-20-1973.
Winifrede Railroad 65 is an ex-N&W H-9. These were built as class HL from 1936-40 with a load limit of 133,500 and a volume of 2,054 cubic feet. N&W rebuilt/repaired/reclassified them at the Princeton WV car shop from 1948-1957. West Carbon WV, 08-20-1973.

14. Probably an ex-C&O hopper built in the 1920s. West Carbon WV, 08-20-1973. Winifrede 155.
Probably an ex-C&O hopper built in the 1920s. West Carbon WV, 08-20-1973. Winifrede 155.

15. WNFR (a different reporting mark for the Winifrede RR – perhaps this one is official) 327 has a capacity of 154,000 and a volume of 3223 cubic feet. It was built in 1936. It was stenciled that the body was built with light weight Cor-Ten steel, a product of Bessemer’s owner United States Steel Corp. Good chance it was built by Greenville Steel Car Co. which was near B&LE’s locomotive shop. Bessemer’s HT47s were built in the early 1940s. Winifrede Jct. (Chesapeake WV). 08-25-1987.
WNFR (a different reporting mark for the Winifrede RR – perhaps this one is official) 327 has a capacity of 154,000 and a volume of 3223 cubic feet. It was built in 1936. It was stenciled that the body was built with light weight Cor-Ten steel, a product of Bessemer’s owner United States Steel Corp. Good chance it was built by Greenville Steel Car Co. which was near B&LE’s locomotive shop. Bessemer’s HT47s were built in the early 1940s. Winifrede Jct. (Chesapeake WV). 08-25-1987.

16. CSX gon 399446 is stored at Ivel KY, on 05-02-2020. It has a load limit of 243,200 lbs., a volume of 4520 cubic feet, and was built by Freight Car America at their Danville IL, plant in 08-2011.
CSX gon 399446 is stored at Ivel KY, on 05-02-2020. It has a load limit of 243,200 lbs., a volume of 4520 cubic feet, and was built by Freight Car America at their Danville IL, plant in 08-2011.

17. A CSX 4-bay hopper is a rarity these days. CSX 348977 probably came from the L&N. There is usually a cut of empty hoppers on Q692 every day. The loads of whatever they carry go south on another route. Q692 leaving Shelby KY on 05-17-2020.
A CSX 4-bay hopper is a rarity these days. CSX 348977 probably came from the L&N. There is usually a cut of empty hoppers on Q692 every day. The loads of whatever they carry go south on another route. Q692 leaving Shelby KY on 05-17-2020.

18. HPJX (Helm-Pacific Leasing) hopper 923933 was arriving Martin KY yard with an entire train of its sisters on 05-02-2020. This car is equipped with rotary couplers on one end, has a load limit of 234,800 and a volume of 4,000 cubic feet. It was built by Johnstown-America in 10-1993. J-A merged into Freight Car America, and their former Bethlehem Steel operation in Johnstown PA, was shuttered. This car is ex-CTRN (Central of Tennessee Railway & Navigation Co.). HPJX 923933.
HPJX (Helm-Pacific Leasing) hopper 923933 was arriving Martin KY yard with an entire train of its sisters on 05-02-2020. This car is equipped with rotary couplers on one end, has a load limit of 234,800 and a volume of 4,000 cubic feet. It was built by Johnstown-America in 10-1993. J-A merged into Freight Car America, and their former Bethlehem Steel operation in Johnstown PA, was shuttered. This car is ex-CTRN (Central of Tennessee Railway & Navigation Co.). HPJX 923933.

19. Ditto for this car. HPJX hopper 923884. Martin KY.
Ditto for this car. HPJX hopper 923884. Martin KY.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young