(erielack) Six-wheel trucks on the headend

["Joseph A. Braun" <joebraun_@_optonline.net>]

A question was raised in a previous thread whether other roads used 6-wheel
trucks on baggage or RPO cars.  The GN continued to use the larger trucks
extensively on its heavyweight cars of various origins that were converted
into lightweight style baggage cars during the 1950s.  One example is #318
converted from a 80' buffet lounge. The 262-264 series of baggage cars were
rebuilt from heavyweight cars and the six-wheel trucks were retained. Cars
like 318 and 262-264 received the Empire Builder scheme with the latter
being used on the Builder.
 
According to feedback from a very knowledgeable email friend in the GNHS,
"six wheel trucks were used on GN head end cars because of weight and riding
qualities" -- the same reason that the 90-ton GN full-length "Great Domes"
rode on twelve wheels.  
 
Joe Braun


	The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List
	Sponsored by the ELH&TS
	http://www.elhts.org

------------------------------