| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad Class LO-2C 87551 at Cicero, Illinois on an unknown day in October 1980, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. The following is from Burlington Route Historical Society's Bulletin 20, COVERED HOPPERS, edited by Hol Wagner: Quite pleased with the performance of the Airslide cars, the Burlington continued to place regular orders for lots of 50 or 60 more of the 2,600 cubic-foot cars through the early 1960's. Following the 60 Class LO-2B cars of 1960 came 50 LO-2C's in 1961 ( Q 87550 - 87599 ) and 50 LO-2D's in 1962 ( Q 87600 - 87639 and C&S 810 - 819 ). A couple of tiny spotting features differentiate these cars. First, the vibrator brackets of the 1961 cars and all subsequent Airslides are mounted on oval pads somewhat larger than the rectangular pads used on all previous production. Then, on the 1962 cars, the number of rivets employed on the vertical channel braces at the ends of each car side is reduced considerably from previous standard practice; where earlier cars have 26 rivets per channel brace, the 1962 LO-2D's have but 12, and the bottom connection to the side sill is welded rather than riveted. Trivial differences, but interesting nonetheless. |