Southern Railway Equipment Drawings and Photographs - Volume 1, Book 1 - 40' All-Steel Box Cars
CNO&TP 40-ton 40' 6" Steel Automobile Box Cars 272000-272499
New racks for carrying auto bodies rather than completely assembled cars
were installed in cars 272001, 002, 005, 013, 019, 038, 040, 043, 049,
061, 064, 070, 091, 100, 121, 125, 127, 164, 168, 199, 207, 224, 226,
228, 230, 233, 234, 245, 247, 250, 253, 279, 286, 297, 306, 321, 325,
327, 337, 363, 367, 371, 374, 396, 399, 403, 406, 413, 434, 439, 444,
In 1935 Southern Railway System received its first all-steel box cars,
451, 453, 458, 466, 470, 472, 475, 487 and 272492 under AFE 8635 in
CNO&TP series 272000-272499. These 500 cars from Pressed Steel Car 1950. One more car in this group, 272080 received racks in 1953 and in
Company (PSC) were 40-ton, 40’ 6” inside-length, steel-sheathed,
1954 272334 had an auto body rack installed. Cars 272030, 035, 102,
double-door automobile box cars, with an inside height of 10’ 4”. General 212, 222, 254, 261, 366, 404. 429, 469, 474, 476 and 272498 were the
Arrangement Drawing SF-1139 shows these cars had construction features last to be adapted for auto body service, in 1955.
of both the 1932 ARA box car design and earlier 1920 box car design. The Virtually all of theses auto body racks appear to have been removed from
side to the right of the door opening, with five riveted steel panels, is
1956 to 1959 so the cars were not in that service very long. (A typical
typical of the 9’ 1” to 9’ 4” inside height 1932 ARA box car design as well practice because auto body styles changed constantly as did parts supply
as the 10’ inside height 1937 AAR box car design.
CNO&TP 40-Ton 40' 6" Steel Automobile Box Cars
272000-272499
Built by Pressed Steel Car Co. 1935. Card Record F-85
and assembly plant requirements.) Many 50' box cars were being
equipped for auto parts service in this same time period so the need for
these 40' cars would have dropped off considerably.
In 1950, AFE 8635 installed tractor decks and chains in cars 272057 and
272147. Some of the cars began their third decade of service by being
equipped with “Damage Free” (DF) loading equipment.. In 1956 DF
hardware was installed in 272014, 233, 306, 314, 334, 337, 352, 382 and
272466. Car 272226 added DF equipment in 1958. In 1959 DF Loaders
were applied to: 272070, 001, 184, 198, 216, 222, 239, 245, 259, 260,
280, 311, 366, 370, 384, 432, 494 and 272498. In 1960 cars 272062,
066, 213, 251, 319, 361, 363, 364, 377, 401, 440 and 272445 received
DF Loaders.
Several series of composite (wood and steel) construction, steel underframe (SUF) “Automobile” cars were in service on the Southern when
these all-steel cars joined the roster. Shipping assembled autos was an
important business for the railroad with loads originating at Ford and
General Motors assembly plants in Atlanta, Norfolk and Louisville.
Cars 272000-272499 were purchased from Pressed Steel Car Co. in
McKees Rocks, PA under two AFEs (Authorization For Expenditure);
6228 in May, 1935 and AFE 6315 in December, 1935.
The minor price differences were most likely caused by variations in
transportation and inspection costs and the cost of “specalities” used on
the cars. Specalities include items such as the brake gear, couplers and
truck components purchased from the carbuilder or from third parties.
On new car orders, specality items could be ordered by the carbuilder,
ordered directly by the Southern for delivery to the carbuilder or shipped
from the railroad's new or used inventory.
Southern accounting records describe the cars as:
“Automobile box, all steel body and underframe, 80000 lb. capacity, Lt.
Wt. 53700 lb. 33” C.I. Wheels, Journals 5" x 9", Hutchins Steel Roof,
Cast Steel Trucks, Westinghouse Air Brake, Miner Draft Gear, 42' 3"
long, 9' 9-5/8" wide, Equipped with Evans Auto Loader for 4 cars, Pressed
Steel Car Co. Builders”.
All were delivered with Evans “Type A” auto loaders by Pressed Steel Car
Co. but most did not operate in that configuration past 1949. AFE 8539
removed auto racks from many of the 495 272000-272499 cars still on
the CNO&TP roster in at that time.
This is one of the CNO&TP 272000-272499 series cars built by Pressed Steel Car Co. in 1935 taken after the car was reweighed at Hayne Shops in May of 1953,
probably when it was there to have its auto racks removed. We know that 272004 remained in service until after 1962. Although the car sports the second (1945)
version of the SR Monogram, this is the third stencil scheme used on these cars. The first SR freight car drawing showing the monogram (for 1937 AAR design box
cars) were not produced until 1938. “As built”, the cars did not have the monogram and “AUTOMOBILE” was stenciled approximately where “THE” in the
monogram is painted. This car would have had the automobile stencil painted over when the racks were removed.
Photographer and location unknown. Neg. T0169, Bob's Photo, Ansonia, CT (Used by permission)
Page 22
Card Record F-85 (SR File 1-2714 for spec. F-120 and SF File 1-2724 for
spec. F-126) is in the SRHA collection, it shows for following drawings
for cars built to specs F-120, F-121 and F-126. Cars 272000-272499 were
built to specification F-120. Drawings for this group of cars include:
Card List F-85
CNO&TP 272000-272499
Diagram Book Page
30-F-8
9-E-43
Axle Marking
27-F-61
Journal Bearing Packing
SF-1131*
12" Figures
SF-1139*
General Arrangement
SF-1140*
Brake Arrangement
SF-1141
Steel Details
SF-1142
Underframe Arrangement
SF-1220*
Underframe
SF-1158*
Monogram
SF-1159*
Monogram
SF-1221*
Monogram
SF-1222*
Monogram
SF-2286
2 1/2" CU FT
SF-2298
Draft Gear Arrangement
SF-2315*
Truck Arrangement.
SF-2321*
Auto Loader Installation Diagram
SF-2322*
End Arrangement
SF-2323*
“Dreadnaught” Steel End Arrangement
SF-2324
Wood Details
SF-2384
Method of Obtaining Additional Width Between Front
Arms (Evans auto racks)
SF-2870*
Running Board “Morton”
SF-3409
1" RPKD
SF-3421
Coupler Striking Plate
SF-3444*
3 1/2" Figures
SF-3460
Door Starter Buffer
SF-3463
Stenciling
SF-3464
Truck Side Frame
SF-3465
Brake beam
SF-3466*
Hand Brake Detail, Miner
SF-3467
Ladders
SF-3478
Method of Remodeling Auto Rack Frames
SF-3482
“Interlox” Floor Clips
SF-3485
Location & Detail of Floor Pocket Plates
SF-3494
Auto Rack Leg Lock
SF-3502*
Stencil
SF-3532*
Miner Hand Brake
SF-3908
Mod of Crossbearer Cover Plates
SF-4006
Axle
SF-4021
Brake Pin
SF-4041
Brake Shoe
SF-4681
Brake Lever Pin
SF-4693
Grab Iron, End Sill
SF-4696
Grab Iron
SF-4876
Brake Lever Connection
SF-4890
SF-5075*
SF-5076
SF-5090*
SF-5095*
SF-5096*
SF-5097
SF-5102*
SF-5209
SF-7099
SF-20000*
SF-20106*
SF-40108
SF-40115
SF-40120
SF-40134
SF-40145
SF-40149
SF-40194
SF-40211
SF-40212
SF-40244
SF-40265
SF-40289
SF-40291
SF-40311
SF-40314
SF-40365
SF-40371
SF-40401*
SF-40402*
SF-40403*
SF-40404*
SF-40405
SF-40406
SF-40407*
SF-40416
SF-40417
SF-40421
SF-40424
SF-40430
SF-40435
SF-40436
SF-40447*
SF-40448*
SF-40450*
SF-40467
SF-40472
SF-40514
SF-40515
SF-40532
SF-40536
SF-40540
SF-40541
Flooring
12" SOUTHERN
8" AUTOMOBILE
3 1/2" Road Initials
Hutchins Dry Lading Roof
Door Arrangement
Superstructure, Roof
Details of Auto Rack
Steel Details
Side Sill Reinforcement
Stenciling
Stenciling
Brake Lever Anchor
Journal Bearing Wedge
Brake Cylinder Push Rod
King Pin
Brake Lever
Journal Bearing
2" BLT
Brake Foot-Board Bracket
Bolster
Brake Cylinder
Draft gear Follower Plate
Brake Rod Jaw, Center & Top
Grab Iron, Roof
Brake Lever Guide
Coupler Yoke
Sill Step
Coupler Key
3" CAPY
3" LD LMT
3" LT WT
3" Figures
3" SOUTHERN
2 1/2" EW & etc.
1 1/4" Figures
Side bearing, Brace
Side bearing, Body
Draft Gear Carrier
Running Board, Longitudinal
Brake Connection Chain& Clevis
Running Board Bracket
Door Handle
2" Figures
2" SOU RWY
3" NEW
Brake Beam Hanger
Angle Cock Holder
Door Starter Closing Arm
Door Starter Closing Lever
Door Starter Lever Fulcrum
Door Stop
Brake Lever Badge Plate
Brake Lever Guide
SF-40542
SF-40543
SF-40544
SF-40545*
SF-40546
SF-40547
SF-40548
SF-40550
SF-40551
SF-40553
SF-40552
SF-40555
SF-40556
SF-40559
SF-40562
SF-40564
SF-40565
SF-40567
SF-40619
SF-40620
Truck Side Frame Marking
Auto Loader Operating Cable Handle
Brake Beam Strut Key
Auto Loader Stenciling
Push Pole Pocket
Uncoupling Lever Bracket
Uncoupling Lever
Running Board Latitudinal Support
Routing and Defect Cardboard
Brake Release Rod Guide
Plackard Cardboard
Brake Release Rod
Brake Step
Brake Chain
Brake Rod Hand brake
Grab Iron Brackets
End Lining Retainer
Flooring, End Boards
Coupler
Hand Brake
Drawing shown with “*” are included in this series of SR Drawing and Photo books.
Drawings marked with “#” are used with these cars but were not included in the original
Card List. Not all drawings are listed.
Drawings that do not use the “SF” (freight car) prefix, such as 9-E-43,
predate that drawing designation system. The earliest “SF” drawing in the
SRHA collection is from 1906. SF-1 dates from the 1950s but it may be
the first time numbers below SF-100 were assigned rather than a reuse of a
drawing number. Only a very few examples of two drawings with the same
designation have been found: all are thought to be errors. No comprehensive index of Southern Railway drawings is known to exist. The first digit
of a drawing number denoted the size of the drawing, all numbers in a
sequence may not have been used. For example, when an SF drawing
series was filled, the next drawing in that size would simply have another
zero added. With that system, SF-1999 would be followed by SF-10000SF-10999.
By the late 1960s, few carbuilder's drawings were traced or given a Southern title block and drawing number. There are hundreds of freight car
drawings in the SRHA collection that do not use the SF prefix. Filing or
finding drawings among those microfilm cards can be difficult because the
various carbuilders' and parts vendors' drawing numbering systems are
completely different and virtually defy logical cataloguing or filing.
Southern Railway Equipment Drawings and Photographs - Volume 1, Book 1 - 40' All-Steel Box Cars
CNO&TP 40-ton 40' 6" Steel Automobile Box Cars 272000-272499
SF-3502 Stenciling August 23, 1938
CNO&TP 40-ton 40' 6" Steel Automobile Box Cars 272000272499, continued
Cars 272000-272499 were delivered prior to the use of the Southern
monogram on freight cars. A photo of 272999, with no monogram, is on
page 142 the Kalmbach Publishing Co. reprint of the 1940 Car Builder's
Cyclopedia. SF-3502 represents the second stencil scheme for 40' all steel
double door auto cars 272000-272999. Card Record F-85 lists SF-3463 as
the original stencil drawing for these cars.
The first available record of retirements for the 272000-272499 cars
shows 272695 as being retired destroyed (wrecked) in 1946 with 272300,
and 272165 retired - destroyed in 1948. Cars taken off the books due to
wrecks in 1950 and 1951 included 272336 and 272372. 1954 saw
272158, 119, 128, 317 and 272471 retired followed by 272420 and
272423 in 1955, 272454 in 1956, 272160 and 272407 in 1957 and
272040 in 1958. Cars 272025 and 272034 were removed from the
accounting records in 1959. 1960 saw the end of cars 272039, 173, 249,
272258 (returned to service in 1962), 272278, 339, 341, 402, 413 and
272467 in 1960 and 272039, 121, 139 and 272311 in 1961.
SF-3502 introduced the monogram to these 40' all steel cars when it
replaced SF-3463 in August of 1938, about two months after the first box
car stencil drawing showing the monogram was drawn for the initial order
of 1937 AAR design box cars.
SF-3463 is one of the few Southern Railway freight car drawings that is
not in the SRHA collection in either original linen or microfilm formats.
We can speculate that because the original position of the 8“ “AUTOMOBILE” lettering (SF-5076) was lower and more centered on the car side, the
SF-3463 linen was modified and reissued as SF-3502 in 1938.
A July 25, 1960 Hayne Shop memo authorizes scrapping of all 272000
series cars identified as being heavy bad order. The results of that memo
can be seen in the 1962 retirements that included; 272021, 022, 031,
037, 049, 051, 053, 068, 105, 107, 131, 187, 203, 217, 225, 240, 244,
262, 289, 308, 313, 335, 341, 397, 403, 415, 433, 438, 473, 479 and
272490.
The 12" size of the SOUTHERN road name (SF-5075) and road number
lettering (SF-1131) used on these cars had been the standard for house car
lettering since the turn of the century. The first revision of drawing SF20000 in December, 1957 (two pages over) changed the sizes of SOUTHERN to 18" and the road number to 14".
Note that official retirement dates, the source of this information, do not
coincide with the date a piece of equipment was actually scrapped. The
accounting changes could have been recorded when a car was condemned
but not yet scrapped or may not have been changed until some time after
the car was actually cut up. Because of this accounting time lag, cars
“coming back” from condemned or destroyed status were not uncommon;
the accounting entry was simply reversed. For example, if Hayne or Coster
shop needed a car for nonrevenue service or to be rebuilt, they would go
to their scrap lines and find a suitable candidate. If the records were not
kept up to date, scrapped cars still “on the books” would eventually lead to
memos and teletype messages asking Operating and Mechanical Department people if they had seen, or had records of that piece of equipment.
Although not common, “retired not located” entries can be found in the
Southern's accounting books. An exact inventory of a railroad's capital
accounts was very important. Freight rates and tariffs were regulated by
the ICC and were the result of how much a railroad had invested in
equipment and physical plant.
Changing the size of letter and number stencils was not simply a case of
expanding or reducing existing drawings. Individual drawings were made
for each size and the characteristics of the letters and numbers; proportions, widths and other details were quite often changed to reflect the
larger or smaller space available. The 12" SOUTHERN road name
lettering is shown on SF-5075. The 12" numerals are shown on SF-1131.
The 14" numbers and 18" lettering will be included in Southern Railway
Equipment Drawings & Photos, Vol II, 50' Steel Box Cars.
Note that the individual, full size, drawings for all letters and the SR
monograms were used to produce the stencils (sheet zinc during this
period) used by carbuilders and shops. Lettering shown on drawings such
as SF-20000 were typically done free hand to show where the stencils were
to be placed on the cars. In many cases, the lettering is not particularly
accurate, or neatly drawn. It was intended to be used only for placement
and as a reference to specific lettering drawings.
All data from CNO&TP Form 588 Sub-Schedule for Years 1940-1964 is
from railroad accounting records in the SRHA Archives.
Page 24
Southern Railway Equipment Drawings and Photographs - Volume 1, Book 1 - 40' All-Steel Box Cars
CNO&TP 40-ton 40' 6" Steel Automobile Box Cars 272000-272499
SF-20000 Stenciling September 16, 1957
SF-3502, on the previous pages, shows the SOUTHERN road name and car
number in 12" letters and figures. That drawing, made in 1938, continued the practice shown in the earliest house car stencil drawings in the
SRHA collection; the road name is stenciled to the left of the door opening.
SF-20000 was drawn in September, 1957. It shows the road name and
number to the right of the double doors and the 5' diameter monogram to
the left. This “reversed” stencil scheme was required because the new
lettering changed the width of the “SOUTHERN" lettering from 8' to 12',
more space than was available on the left side of these double door cars.
The first version of SF-20000 shows the new, 18", road name size. Revision “A” made in December, 1957, changed the road number from 12" to
14" and the spacing between the name and number from 12" to 10".
(Note both the 3-25-58 and 4-11-58 memos from A.M. Carey and L.
Stanley Crane (reproduced on the next page) mistakenly attribute the
“flipped” stencil scheme to the road number size change. The numerals
were not changed until Revision “A” so we know that was not the primary
reason for SF-20000 being drawn.)
This A.M. Cary to R.H. Hamilton memo dated August 16, 1957 was written
immediately before the first versions of SF-20000, for cars 272000-272499 and SF20002 for 50-ton 50'-6" box cars 40000-40174 were drawn. It explains the reason for
the “reversed” lettering on double door SOUTHERN box cars about as concisely as
possible.
Photographs of any Southern box car showing the “post-monogram - pre block”
lettering stencil scheme are hard to find. This February, 1959 photo of 272189 was
taken soon after the car was repainted and reweighed at Hayne that same month. The
monogram was removed from the standard stencil scheme in October, 1958 and the
block style lettering was introduced in January, 1960. No new box cars were
delivered during that interval so only repaints or wreck rebuilds got this stencil
scheme.
Photographer unknown, Fayetteville, NC 2-22-59,
Used by permission, Bob's Photo Ansonia, CT Photo FSOU 36
Page 26