Stock Cars and a book

 

A pervasive myth among model railroaders is that stock cars were not freely interchanged and did not roam to any great degree. While I would absolutely grant that the average stock car was not interchanged in the same manner as a box car, stock cars did travel off line, sometimes great distances. I love the photo above from the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania area ca. late 1947 (Kalmbach Memorial LIbrary, Boob Charles Collection; prints available). In it, there are a couple PRR stock cars visible, but there are also three Santa Fe, one Union Pacific, one Missouri Pacific, and several other stock cars that I believe are SP/UP, but cannot be more definitive. The same collection also has images of two Northern Pacific stock cars. Stock was moved around for many reasons, providing license for modelers to include a variety of stock cars in operating sessions. To that point, I want to also highlight a phenomenal resource to understand the movement, handling, and operations surrounding live stock.

Steve Sandifer's Live Stock Operations: History, Equipment, Facilities & Modeling (published by the SFRHMS) presents the interesting and complex world of live stock shipping in a densely illustrated and cited work that should be in the library of every model railroader who even tangentially brushes up against live stock shipping. While it uses the Santa Fe as a backdrop, much of live stock shipping was governed by other agencies, meaning that what applied to one railroad applied to all. The book covers everything related to these shipments including things that happened before and after the railroad was involved. It is truly a fascinating glimpse into one of the more interesting aspects of railroading operations and history. It also includes material about modeling Santa Fe equipment and stock facilities. Even if you are not a Santa Fe modeler, you can easily justify having one or two (or more for some) cars as the Santa Fe fleet of stock equipment was enormous.

Years ago, Stan Hall graciously sent me copies of Santa Fe switch lists related to stock moves, as well as a small number of original switch lists and Stock Yard Foreman's Records. I am including scans of the originals here for reference. They are a great companion to the material in the book. Enjoy and please support this great book effort!