Re: Prototypical SVRy Freight Consist

Bret is correct on this. The long refer has only been on the S.V.Ry. a few years, and the original SV refer is on the to-do list. The outside of the car is pretty rough, but it is double sided and the interior is still fairly good. It will not be restored any time soon though due to higher priorities and a lack of hardware. There is a UN marking on the under side of the car, on the body bolster if I remember correctly. I think this car, or a sister, was last used to deliver perishables to Bates for distribution to the camps.

I also agree that the side dumps in Mal Ferrels book are from an earlier era. The link and pin couplers would be incompatable with equipment used by the 1930's although slotted knuckles could be used, but the cars do not appear to be equipped with air brakes. The way they are configured does not appear very useful for balasting either.

BTW, the slab pile in the background of the photo is part of the fuel supply for the S.V.Ry. locomotives.