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Freight Cars Journal Monograph #9 History of the General American Airslide
Riched20 10.0.22621
Freight Cars Journal Monograph #9 History of the General American Airslide
A History of the General American Airslide and Other Covered Hopper Cars
By Eric A. Neubauer
Copyright 1989
Spiral Bound
91 pages
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction and Acknowledgments 3
2. General Historical Review 4
3. General Roster Notes 5
4. Cement Cars 6
1958 Roster 7
1958 Diagram 9
5. Miscellaneous Special Designs 10
6. Airslide Family 13
2600 Roster 17
2600 Diagrams 34
3660 Roster 36
3660 Diagram 37
7. Airslide Family- Larger Sizes 38
4180 Roster 40
4180 Diagrams 49
4566 Roster 51
4566 Diagram 53
4895 Roster 54
4895 Diagram 55
8. Dry-Flo Family 56
2450,3500 Rosters 58
3500 Diagram 61
4000 Roster 62
4000 Diagram 63
9. Revised Dry-Flo Family 64
3500,4500,4700 Rosters 65
3500 Diagram 66
4500 Diagram 67
4700 Diagrams 68
4600 Roster 70
4600 Diagram 71
10. Pressure-Slide 72
11. Corporate Sketches 73
12. Photographs 76
1. INTRODUCTION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The South Shore Railroad car (CSS 1375) shown on the cover is typical of what most people think of whenever General American covered hopper cars are mentioned. It is a single compartment Airslide, part of a small order from an unusual owner. Like CSS 1375, many cars through the 1960's had eye-catching, sometimes atypical, lettering. General American was never one of the largest car builders. They built mostly tank cars, about 20,000 covered hopper cars and small amounts of other types. Yet, the Airslide, a design and registered trade name of a subsidiary, is one of the best known of all freight car designs. But, General American's covered hopper car production was more extensive than this. They had several other distinctive designs as well. The scope of this book is to identify all General American built cars and several thousand of similar designs built by other builders. Tank cars converted to covered hopper cars (AAR LT and LTA) are not included, however.
General American covered hopper cars are found all around the country, but most commonly in the mid-west. Minneapolis is one of the best locations. Burlington Northern has a very large fleet of Airslide and other General American designs, all of which can be seen there. Cars leased to North Dakota Mill & Elevator, General Mills and Amber Milling are also common. Kansas City has ADM, CPC and National Starch & Chemical mills serviced by their respective fleets. General American Airslide and grain cars of all the large western roads can be found there as well. Fort Worth and Chicago are two other worthwhile areas. Boston is another area of concentration because of local sugar refineries. Other small mills and bakeries are scattered all over the country. Many of these ship or receive flour, starch or sugar in Airsilde covered hoppers.
Almost half of all General American covered hoppers were leased out and carried GACX initials when built. Many were later relettered for the lessee. The complexities of the GACX roster insured an endless string of questions, some of which have yet to be answered. Rosters are presented as completely as possible. Any additions or corrections will be gratefully received.
All pictures are of the actual item. There may be reflection from the lights in some photos. We try to take photos of any damage. If this is a railroad item, this material is obsolete and no longer in use by the railroad. Please email with questions. Publishers of Train Shed Cyclopedias and Stephans Railroad Directories. Large inventory of railroad books and magazines. Thank you for buying from us.
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