RE: (erielack) Three bay PS2 covered hoppers

["Paul Brezicki" <doctorpb_@_bellsouth.net>]

While the cars no doubt hauled sand at times, this is not what they were 
designed for, since this dense commodity underutilized their 2893 cu' 
capacity. Erie had 250 70-ton 2-bays that were better suited for sand 
service with cubes under 2000. The two series of 2-bays acquired by EL had 
cubes in the same range as the 21800's and were designed for dense 
commodities including sand, but they were 100-ton cars. However, as a 
general service CH design, the Greenvilles were suitable for hauling sand 
when dictated by service needs and equipment availability. I think the 
answer Schuyler was looking for in the post-merger years is the soda ash 
service you mentioned, and this continued into Conrail for some cars.

Paul B


From: "Paul R. Tupaczewski" <paultup_@_comcast.net>
Subject: RE: (erielack) Three bay PS2 covered hoppers

> Schuyler,
>
> According to my data, Erie did not acquire PS-2's, so I'm
> unclear as to what cars you're referring to. It did acquire
> 100 3-bays from Greenville
> (21800-21899) that appear to have been built to PS-2 design
> specs.

I believe he's referring to these cars, as Athearn has released their 3-bay
PS-2 in EL and Erie. They are almost identical with the exception of the
rooftop hatch spacing (something, that Jim Harr showed in his "From the
Workbench" column, is fairly easily rectified)

> These were 70-ton cars used for intermediate density
> commodities such as salt, soda ash and fertilizer, and AFAIK
> remained in this type of service throughout their service
> life.

When built for the Erie, they were classified as "dry bulk" cars and were
used primarily in sand and chemical service (I have several photos of these
cars at sand pits, an dripping white powder from their hatches)

After the EL merger, many of these were reallocated to support the former
DL&W's burgeoning Solvay soda ash traffic, but to the best of my knowledge
never were in service under Erie ownership.

I have personal experience seeing these cars in caustic chemical service in
EL years, as they would frequently appear at Drew Chemical in Boonton.

- - Paul
 


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