Re: No pockets

There is mention in the Sloan book that the shops were directed NOT to make idler flats out of stock cars. So, they did it anyway, and just didn't list them on the roster. According to Sloan's book, 1770 was a gon converted in Dec 1951, and along with 1026 and was NOT reinforced. According to Sloan, "neither lasted long". It was one of the first batch of gons converted after 1026, which apparently was the "prototype" Sloan mentions that some idlers made from gons had rail not only on top, but on the bottom.

My guess is that's the "builder's photo" when she was finished being converted. Most likely the sidesills were replaced, and since they had not intention of it being anything but an idler flat, no holes, stakes, or any evidence it was a gon, other than the draft gear.

I believe 12 gons were converted before they started converting stock cars which had the draft gear in line with the sills. Boxcars came later.

PS. The odd lettering? Why does the Gunnison plow, 09271, an MOW car, have inside height, width, length, empty weight and load capacity listed on the sidesill? Some obscure ICC regulation nobody wanted to violate?

Robert



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2017 05:36PM by rdamurphy.