If I recall correctly, new cars built in 1966 could not have them installed. Thereafter, rebuilds, etc, had them slowly removed. There was a fairly long time line and some exceptions were allowed. Boxcab E50
They were banned from interchange after 1982. They could still be used on home tracks as long as they were not interchanged, MOW and such.
So, before 1966, all roofwalks. After 1982, no roofwalks. In between, a mix trending from the former to the latter. Good info.
I posted this question on joe Fugate's forum about 2 years ago http://siskiyou-railfan.net/e107_plugins/forum/forum_viewtopic.php?6710 I got this reply and found it real helpful (the link listed is dead) The roof running board topic comes up often enough that I captured a link to a web page maintained by the North Central Region of NMRA on this: http://info.detnews.com/hotbox/hotboxstory/details.cfm?id=187 This handy listing covers a number of details on freight cars, including running boards, roller bearings, and ACI plates. As Joe responds, the feel of dates is about right, even though the official dates are a bit earlier. Running boards were "outlawed" in 1964, but this mostly affected new cars in the late 60's plus a "few" older cars as they passed through major shoppings. The critical date was the 10-year grace period for removal for cars in interchange service--1974. As with Joe, I recall cars with running boards past this date. I do not recall, though whether they were home road (SP) or interchange cars, though. Another aspect of this was that 50 ton cars were passe' by the 1960's. A lot of these cars were built post-WWII with SP receiving big classes of 40 ft 50 ton cars into 1953. Additional classes of 50 ton, 50 foot cars were built throughout the 1950's--the car preferred for fork-lift loading. Those cars were toward the end of their working lives in the 1970's and certainly were obsolete for the transportation market by then. Some 50 ton cars got new 70 ton trucks (and 10 foot doors on the 40-footers) to extend their lives, but most were headed to retirement by the mid-70's. As a consequence, a major shopping was not projected for them and they were allowed to expire with their running boards intact. Another factor was the economic recession of the late 70's that led to long lines of old box cars in storage and eventually retired/scrapped. Left running were the more modern cars, most of which were built after 1964, without running boards. I hope this helps! The original and subsequent "feel" has basis in fact. Bill I hope this helps ratled
Which also made a mess of the booming per diem box car industry. Including putting some builders such as PACCAR's rail division into their downward spiral. Boxcab E50
I Use 1975 I use 1975 as the cutoff date. Roofwalks were outlawed because they were deemed dangerous. They probably were depending on the circumstances. Ladders up to the removed roofwalks remained for some time. Covered hoppers still have roofwalks, of course.
Roofwalks and bald spots. When did roofwalks on boxcars dissapear? About the time the bald spot on top of my head appeared. They weren't outlawed, they just weren't needed anymore. The railroad crews were being downsized and brakeman were no longer needed to walk the cars and hand set the brakes. The newer braking systems were deemed to be doing the job. This took place toward the end of the 60's and continued through the 70"s. As the cars were shopped the roof walks were taken off. An agreement between the Unions and Railroads allowed for the removal of brakeman from the trains, roofwalks and other foot holds, running boards and the likes. More of a safety issue for crews. Summer of 2004, I was watching a general freight east bound, roll through Cajon Pass, CA. An unusal sight all of it's own. I noticed to my surprise an old box car with the roofwalk. I can only wonder why? So badly weathered I couldn't make out the markings.
