I need some help with the numbers that where used on the wood chip hoppers that were built by the SAL in the late 40's. These original 70 ton 3-bay hoppers had an extended top specifically made for wood chip service. On page 195 of William E. Griffin, jr. book "Route of Courteous Service" shows car # 36117. The SAL 1959 roster shows only two such cars with numbers 37662, and 37821. Does anyone know the total number of these cars and the numbers assigned?

-- Carey Stevens (ca.stevens@worldnet.att.net), May 24, 2001

Answers

SAL converted 200 coal hoppers to wood chip hoppers in 1960 and renumbered them 36000-36199. The cars were formerly 37000 series cars built from 1940 to 1944. It appears that cars 37662 and 37821 were prototype wood chip conversions, rebuilt from the same 37000 series but not renumbered.

-- Larry Goolsby (LGoolsby@aphsa.org), May 30, 2001.

The car pictured in the Griffin book, #36117, is a conversion from a coal hopper. Unfortunately, the reweigh date in the photo can't be read, which would give a clue as to when the car was given the extended sides & ends. The three car numbers you cite are all listed as coal hoppers in 1952 and 1957 OFFICIAL RAILWAY EQUIPMENT REGISTER issues. These may be the only cars converted as the "built-as" wood chip car, #36381, shown in the Griffith book, was built in June 1962, just a few years after the probable convesions. What is needed is an official SAL car diagram. Anybody have one?

-- Tom Underwood (tlunder@attglobal.net), May 25, 2001.