Todd, Mike and List, "Z" specifically designates trailers built for TOFC service, whether owned by RR or other entitty such as a trucking co, freight forwarder etc. Some examples include UPSZ, LIFZ (Lifschultz), JBHZ (JB Hunt). I believe that all container chassis also carry the Z suffix (the containers themselves carry the "U" suffix). It became useful to do this in the mid-60's when mechanized loading was becoming more common, since TOFC trailers are generally constructed with reinforced bottom plates and often horizontal stiffeners to provide structural stability during bottom-lifting. Most trailers are not designed for this. TOFC trailers may also include extra interior brackets for load bracing due to the rigors of switching, slack action and topsway. Interestingly, consists show containers on chassis with the container and not the chassis reporting mark, so if it's on a TTAX car it's impossible to tell if it's on-chassis or on-deck. Mike, your comment about the DL&W trailers is interesting. I don't suppose you have an earlier (say, 1963) ORER to help us pin down the year the "Z" was introduced? My estimate was based on photos of new 40-footers from the early 60's that did not have it. Paul B I've wondered about the "Z" designation and what it means. The (7-65) ORER notes EL trailers are marked (EL, ELZ, CELZ, REAZ, RELZ, DL&W, ERIE). So Z-designated trailers co-existed with the earlier numbers. I thought too, "Z" designated only the later 40' trailers, but that is not true because some of the early DL&W trailers that got repainted E-L, were given "Z" numbers. (e.g., ELZ 5 was from the first group of DL&W orange, insulated trailers). Maybe "Z" just indicates "trailer". Mike Oravec The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List Sponsored by the ELH&TS http://www.elhts.org To Unsubscribe: http://lists.elhts.org/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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