Car Lengths

[gabby]

When the length of a car is given - say a 60ft Box car is that length taken over the length measured from the couplers or just the car in question.

 

[jbaakko]

Generally, for model railroad terms, it is the length of the car, excluding the couplers...

When we look at the terms used by railroads, they use "extreme outside length" which refers to the length over the pulling faces (couplers included).

 

[dave1905]

The length is the "inside length". It is the length inside the "box". It doesn't include the thickness of the ends, or the draft gear or the couplers.

Railroads use that length because that is the length available to the customer to load, so it is the dimension in which they are interested. A "40 foot car" is actually about 45 feet long. A "60 ft car" could be anywhere from 65 to 70 ft long over the couplers.

 

[cv_acr]

Generally, for model railroad terms, it is the length of the car, excluding the couplers...

No it's not.

The length is the "inside length". It is the length inside the "box". It doesn't include the thickness of the ends, or the draft gear or the couplers.

What he said.

The length given (eg. 60') is the inside length, not outside.

 

[Rico]

Maybe this will help to clear things a little: http://worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Rail_Cars/Guide_to_Rail_Cars.asp#guide
That or add to the confusion!

 

[cv_acr]

Maybe this will help to clear things a little: http://worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Rail_Cars/Guide_to_Rail_Cars.asp#guide
That or add to the confusion!

Interesting that it used North American diagrams but appears to use European terms in at least one place. (Refers to the wheel assembly as a "bogie" instead of a "truck".)

 

[gabby]

Thanks gang and I hope I havn't opened a can of worms here. It's always had me thinking as to what they mean.

 

[jbaakko]

No it's not.



What he said.

The length given (eg. 60') is the inside length, not outside.

Actually, that's not right either.

Sometimes, yes, but generally that's not gonna work. Take for example a PS 5277 boxcar, that's a "50' boxcar". A PS 5277 is 50' 6" on the inside, and generally 55' extreme.

The PS 6033, is 50' 5" inside, and around 58' extreme.

Generally the length is somewhere in the range of the interior, but not always is this true.

Now take for example a 62' insulated boxcar (beer car). Most of the time they're referred to as 62' cars. In all actuality, they're in the range of 60'-61' on the interior, and around 68'-69' extreme.


I guess, yes, the interior length is "more correct" but it is not by ANY means correct.