Western Railroad Discussion > Difco Dump Cars - Are they......

.....considered hoppers or gondolas?

I don't know that they're either. They're just airdumps.

Gondola, with side dumping capability.

Hopper cars get their name from the hoppers on the bottom of the car,
which is also why bathtub gons are gondolas, and not hopper cars.

They are a creature unto themselves. I've never seen one that wasn't designated MWD.

They have flat bottoms, so they're definitely not hoppers.

If I never see one of these stupid things again, that would be fine by me!!!

YM

---

Charles Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> .....considered hoppers or gondolas?

Difco is the Manufacturers name for the larger side dump cars. Ther were 2 other manufacturers of the smaller air dump cars, Western and Megor.

....ahhh Airdumps. They've been a source of fear, frustration and wonder among other things through the years. Watched the whole car imitate rover one day when it rolled over...FEAR and amazement that day. They finally get 16-18 airdumps rounded up with big plans for great things only to find that 3-4 (and these 3-4 are NEVER together) are all that will actually work...frustration. An operator on a large track hoe below the airdumps reaching up to give the car a little help and then watch as the load of rip rap cascades down on him and his hoe (no, not that kinda 'ho')....wonder, as in I wonder what in the H$!! he was thinking and wondering how long this work train will last if things like this continue to happen. That turned out to be the 'work train of attrition.' Ahhhh, good times.....GOOOOOOOOD TIIIIIMMMMES ;)