I'm designing a layout using a prototype as a basis and while studying the Sanborn maps I came across two industries that were served by the railroad labeled as Wholesale Grain and another as Wholesale Grain and Hay.Now my question is what type of car would service this type of facility BUT this is the year 1930 NOT "modern day".Any suggestions?Anyone? Mucho Gracias, Gene Jackson
In that time frame, grain was moved in box cars that were compartmented. They could be loaded through roof hatches. Unloading was manual labour. Men and shovels.
Actually, Grain was loaded in boxcars through "grain doors" which were placed inside the car and up to about 1 foot from the top of the door opening. Grain was then loaded though the 1 foot opening. These doors were made of wood and heavy paper. At destination, the heavy paper was torn to let as much out as would flow. The rest was unloaded by shoveling it out. Baled hay was and still is shipped in boxcars.
Thanks for the great response! Robin that pic was perfect and has really inspired me to model that particular industry.Where else could one go and get such fast and EXTREMELY helpful advice except the Trainboard! Many Thanks, Gene Jackson
All things come to he who waits.... And that photo will give me a scene on my railroad. An old friend just gave me an old scratchbuilt elevator of the era in the photo. I was going to set it to the back of the layout as an abandoned elevator with all of the modern work going to the one that I am rebuilding now. I will still do that, but now I will add one or two of the old frightcars abandoned inplace there with the connecting switch removed. I love it. Thank you! Roger Roger Hensley - rhensley@anderson.cioe.com == http://cid.railfan.net/eci_new.html == == East Central Indiana HO Scale Railroad ==
Some additional data is available on this subject. On this same forum, look for, "Operating Grain Terminals" by the Colonel, where older cars and terminals were depicted and discussed.
