XM-31 series boxcars were numbered from 28000-28599,
however the series was apparently produced in three orders of 200 cars each.
Photographs of these cars are available from all three series, and some cars
are labeled XM-31A and XM-31B, suggesting that there were differences between
the cars in each series. There differences could be simply the number range,
i.e. 28000-28199 became Class XM-31, 28300-28399 became Class XM-31A, and
28400-28599 became Class XM-31B. Photographs of XM-31 and XM-31A boxcars show
they had either ASF or Barber S-2 trucks, while both photos of
XM-31B boxcars show they had National Type 2 trucks. I don?t know if there
were other differences between sub-classes, e.g. type of hand brake, etc.
Miner hand brakes were used on all XM-31 and XM-31A cars where the B end is
visible. End view photographs are available for XM-31 and XM-31A cars, and a
partial end view shows part of the hand brake wheel for XM-31B. The type of
end ladder stile varies between sub-classes, with some cars having split
stiles on the right side of the end ladder and other cars having one-piece
stiles on the right side of the end ladder. The bottom grab iron of the end
ladder is a half-drop grab iron in every case where the bottom end grab iron
is visible. Half-drop grab irons were used with both split and one-piece
stiles.
Photos are available for 8 cars in the
series.
Class
Number
Brake
End
Ladder
Trucks
XM-31
28000 Not
visible
Not
visible
Barber S-2
XM-31
28040 Miner hand
brake Split Stile,
half-drop
ASF
XM-31
28057 Miner hand
brake Split
stile,
half-drop
Barber S-2
XM-31A
28265 Not
visible
Not
visible
ASF
XM-31A
28289 Miner hand
brake One-piece stile, half
drop
ASF
XM-31A
28381 Not
visible
One piece stile, not visible
Barber S-2
XM-31B
28443
Universal
Split stile,
half-drop
National Type B
XM-31B
28597 Not
visible
Not
visible
National Type B
Disclaimer:
- I am not an expert on freight car trucks, so the
ASF and Barber S-2 designations are my best guess.
- The photo of 28443 shows only part of the brake
wheel, so the identification as Universal is a best guess.
I?m building three XM-31 series cars from Sunshine
kits, and I?d like to know more about the apparent sub-classes, XM-31A and
XM-31B. They are not listed in the CB&Q master boxcar lists available to
me; all cars in the series are lumped together as XM-31
boxcars.
I?d appreciate a review of these data by any freight
car experts out there, and any further information about Class XM-31, XM-31A
and XM-31B boxcars.
Nelson Moyer