New York Central Railroad standard boxcar (1892)

   The annexed engraving illustrates the latest form of box car used by the New York Central Railroad, having a capacity of 60,000 pounds. The car is very carefully designed,' and is well adapted for the severe service to which freight cars are now subjected in the heavy trains becoming so common. The car is 35 feet long, outside of sills, and 34 feet 4 1/2 inches inside of the lining. The width over sills is 8 feet 6 inches and inside the lining 8 feet. The height from bottom of sill to top of plate is 8 feet x inch, and the inside height is 7 feet 3 1/4 inches. The best of material is used in the construction of these cars, secured in the manner best calculated to secure strength and durability.

   The following parts are of white oak: the carlins, side braces, side posts, end sills, corner posts, draw sticks, stop blocks, needle beams, end plates, door posts, end posts, ladder posts, side cripple studdings, belt rails, roof saddles, door stops, deadblocks, end braces, body holsters, running board extensions, door stiles and bevel strips. Norway pine is used for side sills, draw sills, intermediate sills, flooring, door post stiffeners, facias, stop timbers, roof binder, door lining, running boards, door rails and roofing and sheeting. Georgia pine is employed for side plates, ridge pole and purlins.

   The cars are equipped with the Westinghouse air-brake, steel brake-beams and vertical plane couplers. The most novel feature of the car illustrated, however, is the trucks, which are of the Fox solid pressed steel pattern, fifty of these cars being thus equipped. We give a separate engraving of this truck, that its design may be properly understood by our readers. As the name implies, this truck is made of pressed steel formed under powerful dies. The form of the truck can be readily understood from an inspection of the engraving. It is made to take the Master Car Builders' large journal.