86' Boxcars

[mnbaty]

Are 86' boxcars still very common? It seems that I havent seen any for a long time in Eastern Iowa.

 

[wright2626]

still see them around fort worth, arlington area.

 

[PEIR]

I have seen a few in the east hauling peat moss.

 

[DirtyD79]

I think a lot of them are in dedicated service hauling parts to various auto assembly plants from parts stamping plants and other component suppliers. Many were fitted with various interior components and load restraining devices to handle specific parts thus they wouldn't be very useful for general service so that would limit much of their routing.

 

[kenw]

many are gone as their 40 year life rule has doomed them. I've seen long strings headed to Mexico for scrap. I still see a few occassionally in use here in Texas, mostly to/from Mexico so some at least come back.

 

[PEIR]

many are gone as their 40 year life rule has doomed them. I've seen long strings headed to Mexico for scrap.

Are the RR's replacing them or do they still have a surplus of cars?

 

[diburning]

They can be rebuilt to extend their life. NS is still hauling some around although I think they only use them in MoW service.