Re: [CBQ] Polo,IL ?

["'John D. Mitchell, Jr.' cbqrr47@yahoo.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>]

I was told by Uncle Calvin Gordon (a longtime MOP trackman) that when he went to work in the 20's , a lot of rail was still 33 feet long because when it was rolled most gondola and flat cars were 36 feet long and that after 40 foot cars became standard, 39 ft. rails became the common length.

On Thursday, October 16, 2014 3:52 PM, "LZadnichek@aol.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

October 16, 2014

 

All - Ties were moved in box and stock cars.... Best Regards - Louis

 

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL

 

In a message dated 10/16/2014 2:56:35 P.M. Central Daylight Time, CBQ@yahoogroups.com writes:

Pete I don’t dispute you as I have heard the same thing. But it got me to wondering, as 40’ cars were not the norm in earlier days. As railroads evolved cars increase in length and capacity, a 34’ or 36’ boxcar was pretty standard up through WWII, but the 39’ rail was well in use. Further

 

I found this which offers a little explanation http://trn.trains.com/railroads/abcs-of-railroading/2006/05/rail

 

As to the photo that started this, the size makes it very difficult to determine. I suppose rail is a possibility, the logistics of moving lengths of rail in and out of a small door by hand boggles the mind. I am really wondering if, because of the long string of stockcars, if they are dealing with a dead or down animal.

 

Doug Harding

www.iowacentralrr.org

 

From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2014 1:07 PM
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Polo,IL ?

 

 

Here's a little "aside" which I once heard and it does make sense...at least to me...Did you ever wonder how the 39 ft rail came to be???

 

Well, here's your answer...Rail was shipped in cars as described which, as we all know, were all of the 40 ft variety...Well..VOILA..a 39 ft rail fit nicely in a 40 ft car.

 

I'll welcome comments as to this matter...pro or con...please speak kindly and courteously to me...I'm very sensitive to negative comments and unwarranted criticism due to my extended exposure to a variety of railroad operating officers who didn't always understand how important it was to my self esteem to treat me with kindness and civility. 

 

Pete

-----Original Message-----
From: qutlx1@aol.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
To: CBQ <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Oct 16, 2014 10:53 am
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Polo,IL ?

 

Thanks, probably right. What a labor intensive and time consuming process !

I once was on a work extra and watched the section guys unload rail off flat cars by hand on the 

Flag Center wye and I thought that was the old fashioned way.......

 

Leo

Sent from my iPad

On Oct 15, 2014, at 11:14 AM, "Dale Grice dfgrice@gmail.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

My guess would be rail. There's some to the right of the track. And with a locomotive coupled to the far end, it could position the car where the next rail(s) would be unloaded.

Dale Grice

 

On Tue, Oct 14, 2014 at 10:11 PM, qutlx1@aol.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Take a look at item #201191822050 on ebay. It's a 1907 photo at Polo,IL. The station and track curvature sure look to be correct. Check out what appear to be section men standing at the end of a stock car on the main. What do you think they would be unloading from the end of the car through that small opening at the bottom ?

Looks like there are many more on the siding.

Leo Phillipp

Sent from my iPad

 

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Posted by: "John D. Mitchell, Jr." <cbqrr47@yahoo.com>

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