Nostalgia & History > BLCX 1051 ex SP

Bankers Leasing Corp BLCX 1051 ex SP in Colorado!

Gary A Rich-Slide

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What did those haul mostly?

I think these were never "SP", always "BLCX leased to SP".

tehachapifan Wrote:
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> What did those haul mostly?


Bulk commodities. Sugar,sand, potash,etc.

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Toward the end of their service life mostly air...  But seriously, the ACF 3500/3510cf covered hopper was used for everythng from potash, fertilizer, borax, salt, clay, sand to even grain and plastic pellets by some owners.  Built by ACF from 1961-1966 they were the first of the smooth sided "tank style" covered hoppers and most were 70-ton cars, although some later ones were designed or modified to be 100-ton cars (including those BLCX cars).  They were the predecessor to the later 100-ton car designs such as the ACF 2970/2980, 3560, 4600, 4650, and 5250.

I remember being hired as a new UP switchman/brakeman, that they warned us specifically about getting on and off these cars when moving - the wide bolster ends sticking out next to the end ladders were dangerous, one could get struck and pulled down by them when trying to mount or dismount. And to be especially careful at night. Not a great design from that standpoint! === === = === JLH