What is a heavy weight car?
During the period between about 1910 and the mid nineteen thirties, most passenger cars were built with three axle trucks, concrete floors, and riveted, double-walled sides and often weighted 90 – 100 tons or more. This period was known as the standard era of passenger railroad car construction. Beginning in the 1930’s, passenger car bodies were constructed entirely of metal, welded, had two-axle trucks, and weighted nominally about 45 – 50 tons. Today, these cars are referred to as “lightweight” cars because of their relative light weight as compared to the standard era cars, which are now often often called heavyweights. The DOVER HARBOR is a heavyweight car. Heavyweight cars are known for their smooth ride and solid construction.
