Why 39ft Rails?

[Saturnalia]

Why was the standard rail length set at 39ft?

[csxt4617]

So they'll fit on a 40' car.

[Standard Railfan]

Why a 40ft car? So they would hold a 39ft rail?

[Saturnalia]

So they'll fit on a 40' car.

Why didn't I think of that?

As for why 40ft, my guess is it was a nice round number, and is easy to work with just about everywhere on today's and yesterday's rail system (Maybe wood came in 10ft sections )

[CSX_CO]

As for why 40ft, my guess is it was a nice round number, and is easy to work with just about everywhere on today's and yesterday's rail system (Maybe wood came in 10ft sections )

Except now, I'd wager the 'average' freight car length is 55' to 60'. Rare to find anything exactly 40' anymore. Even the 'smaller' corn syrup cars (that cube out at weight at their small size) are a bit over 40' from coupler to coupler.

40' was probably the most economical size when almost *everything* went via rail, and every town had its own team track, industries, etc. Smaller shippers didn't need the larger sized cars, so it would be a waste of materials and space to have 60' cars. As more centralized distribution became more common, larger capacity cars serving fewer customers made more sense. Also, as heavier axle loadings became possible through the advancements in suspension and metallurgy, the 40' cars fell by the wayside as you could get more 'stuff' into the larger car before you maxed out the weight.

Practice Safe CSX

[Saturnalia]

As for why 40ft, my guess is it was a nice round number, and is easy to work with just about everywhere on today's and yesterday's rail system (Maybe wood came in 10ft sections )

Except now, I'd wager the 'average' freight car length is 55' to 60'. Rare to find anything exactly 40' anymore. Even the 'smaller' corn syrup cars (that cube out at weight at their small size) are a bit over 40' from coupler to coupler.

40' was probably the most economical size when almost *everything* went via rail, and every town had its own team track, industries, etc. Smaller shippers didn't need the larger sized cars, so it would be a waste of materials and space to have 60' cars. As more centralized distribution became more common, larger capacity cars serving fewer customers made more sense. Also, as heavier axle loadings became possible through the advancements in suspension and metallurgy, the 40' cars fell by the wayside as you could get more 'stuff' into the larger car before you maxed out the weight.

Practice Safe CSX

Thanks for another of your fantastic explainations CSX CO

[CAT345C]

Are you sure? I've seen a lot of 33' foot pieces out there too! On the length of car note, a lot of the class ones are getting rid of the 50' box cars and going to the 60' box car.

[AARR]

a lot of the class ones are getting rid of the 50' box cars and going to the 60' box car.

I too am seeing a growing number of companies that traditionally received 50' box cars starting to receive 60's. Primarily newsprint and paper customers.

[MP73point4]

Are you sure? I've seen a lot of 33' foot pieces out there too! On the length of car note, a lot of the class ones are getting rid of the 50' box cars and going to the 60' box car.

These may have started out as 39 foot sections and had the ends cut off due to damage or cracking where the holes were drilled. Cut off the damaged area, drill new holes, presto! - 33 foot lengths of relay rail.

[MSchwiebert]

For new rail, 78 foot strings seems to be a common length, however the SDI mill near Columbia City Indiana can produce 240 foot strings.
http://www.stld-cci.com/pdf/Metal_Cente ... rticle.pdf

[CAT345C]

My personal favorites are the 6 bolt bars with 2 bolts on one rail, then one piece on the two middle bolts, and finally the last two bolts on the other piece of rail! And yes I have modeled that on the model railroad as well! I've seen the 33' sections the most in sidings and yard tracks so you are most likely right. Too much batter and stress caused them to cut the rail back to 33'. Never thought you could have too much batter!

[i995impalass]

a lot of the class ones are getting rid of the 50' box cars and going to the 60' box car.

I too am seeing a growing number of companies that traditionally received 50' box cars starting to receive 60's. Primarily newsprint and paper customers.

Most the 50' boxes are geting to the end of their life. CSX has been re-habbing and putting them into the TTX pool only to buy a few more years.