USRA 50-Ton Drop-Bottom Composite Gondola

Chesapeake & Ohio  C&O 29662

New Road Number!

In the early 20th century, many railroads still preferred composite construction for freight car that were exposed to rough service, as wood parts were cheap to make and easy to replace.

Many roads handling coal were especially partial to composite gondolas, as the wooden sides and floors were better able to withstand exposure to wet coal, which produced sulfuric acid.

Coal was critical for war production during World War I, and to keep it moving, the United States Railway Administration designed a composite gondola with drop doors in the floor for fast and easy unloading.

The design proved to be very popular, and over 20,000 of these cars were eventually assigned to over 25 railroads, where they continued to serve for many years to come.

• Magnetic knuckle couplers
• Non-magnetic blackened-metal wheelsets
• Suitable for steam era layouts

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