Anyone know the correct number block for CR H32s?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I did some searching, and both number blocks BLI is using for the CR H32s (8845XX. 8855XX) appear to be assigned to ex RDG 3-bay PS-2 hoppers.

Anyone know the correct number blocks?

[Cory Rothlisberger]

8855xx appears to be right. Page 114 in the CR Color Guide. Typical early Conrail. You can't really trust all the same class freight cars were locked in to a sequential number series. I'll go out on a limb and say that those early number groupings were based more on what it could haul and how much of it could be hauled...

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Thanks, I was going through photos on rrpicturearchives.net for reference. I know these never made it to the 90's, but I just had to own a few of these crazy looking cars.

Do in guessing these were exclusive to grain service?

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Not at all. In fact, I'd be surprised to find these in grain service, with their low cubic capacity.

I think you'd be more likely to see them in granular "chemical" service, like limestone, etc... This is another good question for @GonzoCRFan.

[Dave V]

Not at all. In fact, I'd be surprised to find these in grain service, with their low cubic capacity.

I think you'd be more likely to see them in granular "chemical" service, like limestone, etc... This is another good question for @GonzoCRFan.

These and their smaller H30 cousins were seen regularly on the Bellefonte Central hauling limestone.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Makes sense to me. They're about the right size for that service.

[ai5629]

According to my 4/81 and 4/83 ORER's: There were six H32's in the 885500--885600 number series.  There are several other 3500 cubic feet cars listed in this series also.  CR 884596 is also listed as a stand alone number for an H32.  This car does exist as I photographed it in March of 1986.  I will try to upload a copy of it to the Conrail Historical Society web site this weekend. There is a master Conrail numbering guide online that is an excellent reference.  I downloaded it a couple years ago.  It is on the STB website I think.  I could send anyone it via email if you want it.  Once Conrail got going (as Cory mentioned) they would lump cars together that were in similar services.  I recall that there was a huge export grain boom in the late 70's and early 80's.  To meet this need, Conrail pressed all sorts of cars into grain service to meet the need.  This would explain the car in the MSB's Color Guide being stenciled for grain loading only.  Once the boom ended, it would have been pressed back into mineral service, which a car of that size is best suited for.  Thank you.

Jeff

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Limestone, ok. So these would be right at home feeding a cement plant.

[Blazeman]

Also limestone into power plants for acid neutralizing.

[loyalton]

And then power plants end up with gypsum as a byproduct. So that would go out presumably by covered hopper(?) to drywall manufacturers. This may be not typical in the Conrail years, but would be something to model otherwise.

[Wlal13again]

and as a flux agent for steel making

[ai5629]

According to my 4/81 and 4/83 ORER's: There were six H32's in the 885500--885600 number series.  There are several other 3500 cubic feet cars listed in this series also.  CR 884596 is also listed as a stand alone number for an H32.  This car does exist as I photographed it in March of 1986.  I will try to upload a copy of it to the Conrail Historical Society web site this weekend. There is a master Conrail numbering guide online that is an excellent reference.  I downloaded it a couple years ago.  It is on the STB website I think.  I could send anyone it via email if you want it.  Once Conrail got going (as Cory mentioned) they would lump cars together that were in similar services.  I recall that there was a huge export grain boom in the late 70's and early 80's.  To meet this need, Conrail pressed all sorts of cars into grain service to meet the need.  This would explain the car in the MSB's Color Guide being stenciled for grain loading only.  Once the boom ended, it would have been pressed back into mineral service, which a car of that size is best suited for.  Thank you.

Jeff

I have uploaded my photo of CR 884596 to the Conrail Historical Society's web site.  Here is the link.  Enjoy.  Thank you. 

Jeff

http://thecrhs.org/Images/CR-884596-Class-H32-0