Atlas 50' single door car question

[Bob Bufkin]

Noticed the SEL marked on the side of the N&W car.  What does this stand for?

N&W - you should know.

Bob

[Mark5]

I think I may have the answer in a book somewhere. Will look as time permits ...

Mark

[Mark5]

Bob,

The "SEL" stands for the type of loader the car was equiped with, sorta like the more common "DF" loader I guess. My sources indicate the "SEL" stands for "Spartan Easy Loaders".

Mark

[asciibaron]

while this does not exactly answer the question, it is a good resource for car information...

http://www.nmra.org.au/conventions/Clinics/Box_cars_101/Box%20Cars%20101v2-2.html

the SEL was a variation of an auto loader system, not unlike the Evans DF (Damage Free) system.  i did a quick search but could not find the diagrams of how it worked.  a site did exist that had info on the Evans and Spartan systems.

-Steve

[Bob Bufkin]

I was originally thinking it had to do with auto parts.  I've seen photos of cars with various letters and or numbers which indicated they were for use in auto parts shipments.  Haven't been able to find a reference to the letters/numbers used.

[asciibaron]

Some common boxcar loader/bulkheading lettering

DF - Evans Damage Free loading system (used a series of belts within the car)
DFB - Evans Damage Free bulkheads (used to separate loads within a car)
SL - Spartan Loader (like the Evans QL)
SEL - Spartan Easy Loader (much like the Evans DF)
QL - Evans Quick Loader (prior to the DF)
PC - Preco cross bar system (maybe)
LD - Preco Loader cross bar system
ST/B - Spartan Tri Belt cross bar socket system
C - Darby Compartmentizer system
CP - Car Pac loader (cross bar system)

-Steve

[Bob Bufkin]

Thanks Steve.  Good reference material. 

There was also letters and numbers used in auto parts service.  Believe it was  routing/parts info painted on the side of boxcars.  That's the one I was interested in finding.
Bob

[asciibaron]

Thanks Steve.  Good reference material. 

There was also letters and numbers used in auto parts service.  Believe it was  routing/parts info painted on the side of boxcars.  That's the one I was interested in finding.

those are the car pool service numbers for plant/maker.  the way it worked was all the railroads along a parts path would buy cars in proportion to the mileage of the route used.  i know a reference exists with the pool information, i just can't find it - google is fast becoming unusable.

-Steve

[Mark5]

It has been pointed out to me by a fellow N&W nut that it is Sparton, not Spartan. ;D

[asciibaron]

It has been pointed out to me by a fellow N&W nut that it is Sparton, not Spartan. ;D

i have seen it as both in print and on the web - looking for patents produced a legal breif - Sparton Corp. vs. Evans Corp.

Sparton it is.

-Steve