This car exhibits several unusual characteristics both inside and out, perhaps as a result of an accident and subsequent repairs. On the outside, there are several odd length stakes on the right side. The long u-bolts that make up the side supports come up through the floor, through the side boards, and then wrap around the needle beam stakes. If this stake is split, the upper portion is notched to fit around the side support u-bolt. On this car, however, the upper portion of the split stake is cut short enough so that the u-bolt doesn't interfere. Another of the split stakes on the right side is cut much longer than normal, stretching down to the top of the bottom board. The regular stakes at all three of these locations are full length. Another split stake on the right side has a short, one-board-tall extension added to the top of the original stake. In contrast, the left side of the car shows a normal stake/split stake arrangement.

The reason for the odd configuration of the right side is apparent when looked at from the inside. The top three boards have all been spliced together. The top board is in two parts and the next two are in three. There is also a one inch shim board between the top two boards. By attaching the spliced side boards to additional stakes on the outside of the car and then bolting the stakes together it is possible to repair the boards while still leaving the inside of the car uncluttered.

In another deviation from the norm, both ends of the car utilize undersized stock, with six end boards being used instead of the normal five.

All of the inside corner plates consist of two single board pieces at the bottom, with one three board plate above them. It is apparent that the "typical" arrangement of corner plates, that is, one single board at the bottom and a four board plate at the top is, in reality, not that common at all.

Detail Photos

---

Return to Nine Stake Gondola Page - A Final Comment

---

If you wish to contact me for any reason my e-mail address is: bdwhite@orci.com