Evolution of AAR loading gauges?? Standards for Plate B, Plate C, etc.

AceOGR Forum Member

Rolling stock on American railroads is typically about 10'6" wide, and has been for a fairly long time as far as I know. Current Plate B-C-E-F standards show a maximum width of 10'8", but this is reduced on cars with longer truck centers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loading_gauge

I suspect that 10'0" used to be a previous standard for maximum width of rail cars approved for interchange on American railroads, but how long ago was that? I'm in the process of trying to research the history on this and would appreciate any leads with pertinent information.

This is the best link for concise info that I have found so far:

http://www.icrr.net/plates.htm

PLATE B: Unrestricted interchange service standard adopted 1946. Revised 1972, 1983, 1988. (image at left above)

PLATE C: Limited interchange service standard (will clear 95% of total rail mileage) adopted 1963. Revised 1983, 1988, 1991.

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7/26/162:57 PM

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mark sOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBER

Have long wondered what the meaning of "plate" is, employed in clearance guidance.

7/26/163:09 PM

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AceOGR Forum Member

A good broadside view of a 40-foot boxcar, new in 1939, showing the dimensional data:

EXW. 10-5 H. 13-1
E.W. 9-4 H. 14-0
I.L 40-6
I.W. 9-2
I.H. 10-0
CU.FT.3730

Inside Length-Width-Height are self-explanatory.

EXW is presumably the overall exterior width but what about E.W. 9-4 and the 13-1 / 14-0 heights?

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7/31/161:46 AM

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AceOGR Forum Member

This pic is an O-gauge model, presumably scale except for Lionel-type couplers and trucks with big-flange wheels. I'm supposing the dimensional data was based on an actual prototype car. This car appears 13 inches narrower overall than the 1939 example above.

#27233 Lionel 2007

EAVES ( HEIGHT 12 FT 10-1/4 IN
( WIDTH 9 FT 4 IN presumably the maximum overall width?
LENGTH (OUTSIDE 42 FT 1-1/2 IN
(INSIDE 40 FT 6 IN

BUILT NEW 3-24

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7/31/1611:04 AM

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Rusty TraqueOGR Forum Member

Ace posted:

EXW. 10-5 H. 13-1
E.W. 9-4 H. 14-0
I.L 40-6
I.W. 9-2
I.H. 10-0
CU.FT.3730
Inside Length-Width-Height are self-explanatory.
EXW is presumably the overall exterior width but what about E.W. 9-4 and the 13-1 / 14-0 heights?

E.W. is the width of car the at the sills, less ladders and grab irons.

13-1 refers to the height of the car at the sides and 14-0 at the height of the car at the top of the roofwalk.

Different car, same idea...

Rusty

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7/31/1611:19 AM

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AceOGR Forum Member

Rusty Traque posted:
Ace posted:

EXW. 10-5 H. 13-1
E.W. 9-4 H. 14-0
I.L 40-6
I.W. 9-2
I.H. 10-0
CU.FT.3730
Inside Length-Width-Height are self-explanatory.
EXW is presumably the overall exterior width but what about E.W. 9-4 and the 13-1 / 14-0 heights?
E.W. is the width of car the at the sills, less ladders and grab irons.
13-1 refers to the height of the car at the sides and 14-0 at the height of the car at the top of the roofwalk...
Rusty

Rusty, Thanks for the explanations. So the 9-4 and 13-1 specs seem pertinent to platform and roof clearances at loading facilities?

Here is another sample: