New Consumers Coal Gons

[BL2-1843]

If this was already reported, I missed it, and you guys over on the west side of the state have more of a chance of seeing these there, than I do here, but yesterdays N956 coal load to Essexville had brand new CPOX coal gons in the 3200-3300 series. Built by Freight Car of America, these aluminium cars with green ends were built in July and August of 2008. Being retired from Consumers Energy, I made an inquiry to find they have another 265 cars on line, in the CPOX 3201-3465 series. After getting thousands of new cars in the past several years, they have many new reporting marks other than the old CPOX they used to use exclusively. This was the first use of CPOX letters in quite some time.

[tsinoms]

So no more PSTX and Fish Stixs?

[BL2-1843]

The Thrall cars (CPOX 1000-1109, blue rotary ends) were built in 1978 and gone in 1990. The Pullman Standard cars (CPOX 1200-1899; yellow rotary ends) were built in 1980 and gone by 1996. I haven't figured out where they all went to yet, but some were reduced in height and became SOO/IMRL/ICE scrap gons. So we went from 1996 to 2008 without any coal cars lettered CPOX.

The above info from a well known carman who keeps tabs on these things.

[sd70accsxt700]

A lot of the 1200-1899, became scrap gons. See them all the time around here. A lot became David J. Joseph fleet cars for scrap, and keept there hight.

[cmgnnut]

Does anyone have pics of all the different CPOX cars ?

[MSchwiebert]

Had a southbound train with a pair of BNSF units (one pumpkin & one executive green) by the house here in Perrysburg OH last night that was made up of the new CPOX aluminum cars. Looked to be making their maiden trip to Wyoming for coal

[Norm]

Matt,

How long do the aluminum bathtub gons last before they get relegated to beer cans?

[sd70accsxt700]

Unless they are taken out in a wreck, as long as the FRA alows. There are still SOO Aluminum covered hoppers roaming around, and IIRC they were one of the first back in the late60's early 70's.

[csxt4617]

They don't seem to be running on N903/910 and E949/950's. I've only seen 3 of them twice, and I believe it was the same 3 (saw them as empties, on E949, then about a week later on N903) It was a nice surprise though, as I didn't Consumers bought some more cars.

[sd70accsxt700]

They have been running to Bay City the past week or more. Have seen at least two sets of them.