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America's All-Purpose Rolling Stock
A boxcar is the North American term for a railroad car that is enclosed and generally used to carry freight. The boxcar, while not the simplest freight car design, is considered one of the most versatile since it can carry most loads.
ailroad boxcars are perhaps not only the best-recognized pieces of equipment ever put into service but also one of the most identifiable symbols of the industry itself. They have a history tracing back to the earliest years when railroads realized that some freight and lading needed at least a little protection from the outside elements and Mother Nature. However, after the turn of the 20th century the car truly became an industry icon and remained so through the 1960s, used to haul about any and every type of non-bulk traffic moved by train. Over time railroads realized, largely through complaints by shippers, that more specialized cars were needed to haul unique types of freight. This issue led to the development of the well car, autorack, refrigerator car, and several other specific designs. Boxcars, however, still have their place in today's industry especially in carrying bulky items such as autoparts.
AmericanRails.com
After locomotives and cabooses, its all boxcars for me -- my favorite type of rolling stock between front and rear. Nothing says American railroading like a cut of variously colored boxcars, filled with various goods and headed to various destinations. My father started shooting boxcar roster shots in Pensacola in the late 1950s, and soon a habit developed that would persist into the early 1980s ... when his 120 Twin Reflex camera finally gave out. When I started shooting digital, I immediately began capturing as many interesting or unusual boxes as I could find. That's getting harder in the age of Class One absorptions, tall containers, and more homogeneous unit trains. Still, you can find some boxcar variety -- both paint schemes and the roads that choose them -- if you look around in most yards these today. I still prefer the shortline cars, so many of whom pooled large leasing fleets in the 1980s and sent their colors and names all over the continent. Even in this era, with fewer of them on the move, every boxcar still begs the questions: Where is going? What is inside? When will it get there? How will it return?
collection
Boxcars arranged chronologically by photo year. All blog photos by John or Ralph unless noted.
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Warren & Trumbull #8043
Coshocton, Oh / Feb 2016 / RWH
Genesee & Wyoming #25094
Coshocton, Oh / Feb 2016 / RWH
Genesee & Wyoming #25022
Coshocton, Oh / Feb 2016 / RWH
Columbus & Ohio River #8143
Coshocton, Oh / Feb 2016 / RWH
Arkansas & Oklahoma #473273
Coshocton, Oh / Feb 2016 / RWH
Alabama & Gulf Coast #2198
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Arkansas & Oklahoma #111515
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Missouri-Kansas-Texas #153503
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Missouri-Kansas-Texas #155153
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Hartford & Slocumb #30876
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Norfolk Southern #451344
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Laurinburg & Southern #4206
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Laurinburg & Southern #4219
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Maine Central #32122
Hollidaysburg, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Maine Central #32123
Hollidaysburg, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Norfolk Southern #469427
Duncansville, Pa / 2016 / RWH
East Erie Commercial #1764
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Trailer Train #660644
Wheatland, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Mahoning Valley #100004
Austintown, Oh / 2016 / RWH
Mahoning Valley #100009
Austintown, Oh / 2016 / RWH
LGB Trains #6913
North Lima, Oh / 2016 / RWH
Lionel Trains #6997
North Lima, Oh / 2016 / RWH
Wellsboro & Corning #4921
North Lima, Oh / 2016 / RWH
Falls Road #4958
North Lima, Oh / 2016 / RWH
East Erie Commercial #2764
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Wellsboro & Corning #4940
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Lowville & Beaver River #4813
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Atlantic & Western #210080
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
East Erie Commercial #1199
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Kansas City Southern #61194
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Warwick #5390
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Missouri-Kansas-Texas #152158
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Youngstown & Austintown #9631
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Lowville & Beaver River #5544
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Hartford & Slocumb #72308
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
East Erie Commercial #6415
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Missouri-Kansas-Texas #150772
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
East Erie Commercial #1186
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Department of Defense #29308
New Castle, Pa / 2016 / RWH
Providence & Worcester #5390
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Wisconsin Central #22145
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Trailer Train #663462
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Trailer Train #662753
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Trailer Train #661987
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Norfolk Southern #470170
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Lowville & Beaver River #5072
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Hartford & Slocumb #2903
Holly Springs, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Genesee & Wyoming #980061
Holly Springs, Ms / 2015 / RWH
General American Transportation #149611
Holly Springs, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Fort Smith #242006
Holly Springs, Ms / 2015 / RWH
East Erie Commercial #1199
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
East Erie Commercial #128
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
CSX Transportation #124118
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
CSX Transportation #507851
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
CSX Transportation #143138
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
CSX Transportation #141120
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
CSX Transportation #136382
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Canadian National #412749
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Canadian National #415423
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Canadian National #414431
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Burlington Northern Santa Fe
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Burlington Northern Santa Fe #729006
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Missouri Kansas Texas #152158
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Bay Colony #4532
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Atlantic & Western #210080
New Castle, Pa / 2015 / RWH
Arkansas & Oklahoma #112083
Jackson, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Alabama #77009
Holly Springs, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Alabama #77008
Holly Springs, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Alabama #77000
Holly Springs, Ms / 2015 / RWH
Texas Oklahoma & Eastern #3084
Bellevue, Oh / 2014 / RWH
Norfolk & Western #604215
Bellevue, Oh / 2014 / RWH
Norfolk Southern #471350
Alliance, Oh / 2014 / RWH
International Bridge & Terminal #19259
Alliance, Oh / 2014 / RWH
Trailer-Train #504496
Bellevue, Oh / 2014 / RWH
Cryo-Trans #5377
Bellevue, Oh / 2014 / RWH
Crab Orchard & Egyptian #173536
Bellevue, Oh / 2014 / RWH
Crab Orchard & Egyptian #171404
Bellevue, Oh / 2014 / RWH
Southern Railway #531142
New Castle, Pa / 2012 / RWH
Railbox #39691
New Castle, Pa / 2012 / RWH
Railbox #34276
New Castle, Pa / 2012 / RWH
Southern Railway #524425
Bristol, Va / 2011 / RWH
Southern Railway #712
Bristol, Va / 2011 / RWH
Norfolk Southern #469317
New Castle, Pa / 2011 / RWH
CSX Transportation #161140
Belington, WV / 2011 / RWH
Clinchfield #55862
Jonesborough, Tn / 2011 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #263
Johnson City, Tn / 2011 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #272
Johnson City, Tn / 2011 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #264
Johnson City, Tn / 2011 / RWH
Atlantic & Western #7533
Johnson City, Tn / 2011 / RWH
Atlantic & Western #7511
Johnson City, Tn / 2011 / RWH
Maine Rail #6120
Epworth, Oh / 2010 / RWH
Maine Rail #6111
Epworth, Oh / 2010 / RWH
Marquette Rail #1029
Epworth, Oh / 2010 / RWH
Swift Refrigerator Line #25029
Union, Il / 2009 / RWH
New York Central
Jefferson, Oh / 2009 / RWH
Kansas City Southern #126314
Richland, Ms / 2009 / RWH
CSX Transportation #180546
New Castle, Pa / 2009 / RWH
Grand Trunk Western #406387
Baton Rouge, La / 2009 / RWH
Norfolk & Western #517810
Altavista, Va / 2007 / RWH
Norfolk & Western #516470
Altavista, Va / 2007 / RWH
Norfolk Southern
Altavista, Va / 2007 / RWH
Southern Railway #262914
Spencer, NC / 2001 / JCH
Waterloo #505957
Meridian, Ms / 2000 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #14047
Columbus, Ms / 1999 / JCH
Hartford & Slocumb #5294
Dothan, Al / 1990 / JCH
Alabama & Florida #4007
Enterprise, Al / 1990 / RWH
Northwestern Oklahoma #2514
Jackson, Ms / 1989 / JCH
North Louisiana & Gulf #5438
Longview, Tx / 1989 / RWH
MidSouth Rail #11992
Meridian, Ms / 1989 / RWH
Gulf & Mississippi #2018
Artesia, Ms / 1989 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #70044
Leland, Ms / 1989 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #49555
Leland, Ms / 1989 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #20082
Leland, Ms / 1989 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #18002
Columbus, Ms / 1989 / RWH
Arkansas Louisiana Missouri #1209
Monroe, La / 1989 / RWH
Ashley Drew & Northern #7617
Monroe, La / 1989 / RWH
Southern Pacific #34828
Perris, Ca / 1987 / RWH
Southern Railway #992165
Slidell, La / 1987 / JCH
Southern Railway #523381
Slidell, La / 1987 / JCH
New Orleans Public Belt #3145
New Orleans, La / 1987 / JCH
North Louisiana & Gulf #5049
Bunkie, La / 1987 / JCH
Mississippi Export #902
Morrow, La / 1987 / RWH
Illinois Central Gulf #531674
Jackson, Ms / 1987 / RWH
Columbus & Greenville #1512
Jackson, Ms / 1987 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #1508
Jackson, Ms / 1987 / JCH
Ashley Drew & Northern #5615
Jackson, Ms / 1987 / JCH
Ashley Drew & Northern #4905
Jackson, Ms / 1987 / JCH
Ashley Drew & Northern #4719
Jackson, Ms / 1987 / JCH
Southern Railway #145
Covington, La / 1986 / JCH
Louisville & Nashville #4079
Atlanta, Ga / 1986 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #56744
Varnado, La / 1986 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #55590
Lacombe, La / 1986 / JCH
Chattahoochee Industrial #90228
Huntsville, Al / 1986 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #15050
Columbus, Ms / 1986 / RWH
Ashley Drew & Northern #4752
Jackson, Ms / 1986 / JCH
Waterloo #583002
Varnado, La / 1985 / JCH
Mississippi & Skuna Valley #1511
Jackson, Ms / 1985 / JCH
Louisville New Albany & Corydon #5526
Jackson, Ms / 1985 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #55412
Jackson, Ms / 1985 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #1519
Jackson, Ms / 1985 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #62
Columbus, Ms / 1985 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #21128
Jackson, Ms / 1980 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #21071
Covington, La / 1979 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #57413
Huntsville, Al / 1975 / JCH
Atlantic Coast Line #35376
Huntsville, Al / 1975 / JCH
Norfolk & Western #55013
Huntsville, Al / 1974 / JCH
Maryland & Pennsylvania #1613
Huntsville, Al / 1974 / JCH
British Columbia Rail #40745
Huntsville, Al / 1974 / JCH
Southern Pacific #188664
Huntsville, Al / 1973 / JCH
Southern Railway #47349
Huntsville, Al / 1973 / JCH
Seaboard Coast Line #22323
Huntsville, Al / 1973 / JCH
Linde Air Products #3035
Huntsville, Al / 1973 / JCH
Illinois Central #28042
Huntsville, Al / 1973 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #9626
Huntsville, Al / 1973 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3705
Columbus, Ms / 1973 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #314
Columbus, Ms / 1973 / JCH
St Louis San Francisco #6899
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
ACF Industries #967
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Roscoe Snyder & Pacific #1340
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Meridian & Bigbee #2044
Meridian, Ms / 1972 / JCH
Meridian & Bigbee #2010
Meridian, Ms / 1972 / JCH
Louisville & Nashville #114468
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #57589
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #56899
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #56032
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Central of Georgia #5505
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #T-108
Columbus, Ms / 1972 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3703
Columbus, Ms / 1972 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3702
Columbus, Ms / 1972 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3417
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3038
Columbus, Ms / 1972 / JCH
Ashley Drew & Northern #1427
Huntsville, Al / 1972 / JCH
Seaboard Air Line #21645
Huntsville, Al / 1971 / JCH
New Hope & Ivyland #9005
New Hope, Pa / 1971 / JCH
Norfolk Franklin & Danville #2361
Huntsville, Al / 1971 / JCH
Georgia & Florida #425
Huntsville, Al / 1971 / JCH
Central of Georgia #8718
Huntsville, Al / 1971 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3450
Columbus, Ms / 1971 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #67494
Columbus, Ms / 1970 / JCH
Gulf Mobile & Ohio #55187
Meridian, Ms / 1970 / JCH
Columbia Newberry & Laurens #5137
Artesia, Ms / 1970 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3408
Columbus, Ms / 1970 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3080
Columbus, Ms / 1970 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3011
Columbus, Ms / 1970 / JCH
Wabash #20518
Sheffield, Al / 1968 / JCH
Peoria & Eastern #3609
Decatur, Al / 1966 / JCH
Tennessee Alabama & Georgia #7034
Chattanooga, Tn / 1965 / JCH
Mobile & Ohio
McLain, Ms / 1961 / JCH
Smoky Mountain #504
Sevierville, Tn / 1960 / JCH
Mississippi Central #5029
Hattiesburg, Ms / 1960 / JCH
Alger Sullivan Sawmill Co #104
Century, Fl / 1960 / JCH
Atlantic Coast Line #17302
Cottondale, Fl / 1960 / JCH
Western Rwy of Alabama #18177
Pensacola, Fl / 1959 / JCH
Western Rwy of Alabama #177793
Pensacola, Fl / 1959 / JCH
Nashville Chattanooga & St Louis #19095
Pensacola, Fl / 1959 / JCH
Nashville Chattanooga & St Louis #18613
Pensacola, Fl / 1959 / JCH
Louisville & Nashville #96316
Pensacola, Fl / 1959 / JCH
Columbus & Greenville #3143
Pensacola, Fl / 1959 / JCH
Lagniappe
East Erie Afternoon
New Castle, Pa / Jan 2016 / RWH
Links / Sources
- Boxcars & Freight Cars of North America
- Wikipedia article for railroad boxcars
- AmericanRails.com boxcar page
- Freight car markings - Trains Magazine
- Railway Car Builders of North America
- North America Freight Car Association
- North American Rail Shippers Association