Both sand and soda ash are used in glassmaking, but being less dense, it was more cost-effective to ship soda ash in higher cube cars, closer to 3000 cu ft or more. So I think the GE cars were most likely used exclusively for sand by the 1970's. Paul B From: Smtimko_@_aol.com Subject: (erielack) ILDX 331 GE Covered Hopper NOTE: This message had contained at least one image attachment. To view or download the image(s), click on or cut and paste the following URL into your web browser: http://lists.railfan.net/listthumb.cgi?erielack-03-01-09 ILDX_331_Niles_Ohio_Apr_1974.jpg (image/jpeg, 3110x2016 581550 bytes, BF: 10.78 ppb) Sometime ago, perhaps a couple of years ago, someone asked about ILDX covered hoppers assigned to the General Electric Plant service at Niles, Ohio. I recently found an old slide taken at Niles, Ohio in April 1974 that shows IDLX 331, a 70 ton covered hopper so assigned. I don't recall if the cars carried inbound sand, soda, ash or what but they were assigned to the Niles Incandescent Lamp Plant. That plant is now located on the portion of the railroad that was acquired by the Ohio Central in the summer of 1996. I believe the plant recently has closed. SMT The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List http://EL-List.railfan.net/ To Unsubscribe: http://Lists.Railfan.net/erielackunsub.html ------------------------------
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