Re: The Monarch Branch, and stock car questions.

Hi Kev....
The Monarch Branch had a ruling grade of 4.5% from Maysville to Monarch - hence the lower tonnage rating.
Some railroads did show tonnage ratings at "a reasonable speed", but I don't think the D&RGW cared how slow you went as long as you got the longest, heaviest train possible over the road. If you apply the Cole formulas (which are used to determine how much tractive effort is required to move "X" amount of tonnage up "Y"% of grade around "Z" degrees of curvature. You find the published tonnage ratings higher. This means the steepest grade does not occur around the sharpest curve. But, again we are talking the ability to move a train (tractive effort) versus the ability to take that train and run it at speed (horsepower).
The double deck cars were primarily used for moving sheep (or REAL short cows?). In addition to the 30' cars, there was a class of 34' stock cars. The 34' cars are all gone, except for a recently discovered body. The 34' cars had Andrews trucks which were needed for the 6600 flats that were made from cut down SG cars.