It will join the collection of vintage Southern Railway freight cars at the museum.
Big John hopper cars are among the most significant freight cars built, since they established the railroads’ ability to establish incentive pricing for large shipments, over the objection of the Interstate Commerce Commission, which attempted to maintain the status quo.
The cars were built at the direction of legendary Southern Railway President D. W. Brosnan. Built by Magor Car Co., the first cars arrived in 1960 and were nicknamed “Big John” after a popular country music song of the era. Made of lightweight aluminum with a carrying capacity of 97 tons, the cars featured four compartments so that multiple types of grain could be shipped in the same car. An additional order, with a 100-ton capacity, arrived in 1961-1962.
The cars were nearly double the size of the largest covered hoppers in regular use, which allowed the Southern to slash its rates for grain shipments from $10.50 per ton to as little as $3.97. Not only was this much cheaper than their old rail rates, it was also cheaper than truck or barge rates. Competitors soon filed injunctions with the ICC against the Southern’s lower “unfair” rates, and included most other railroads, particularly Southern’s competitors in Southeast markets.
The ICC forced Southern to maintain its rates in 1961 while it heard arguments. After nearly two years of deliberation, they allowed only a partial reduction. The Southern took the case to the U.S. Supreme Court twice, ultimately achieving victory in 1963.
In 1965, Southern went back to Magor for 500 “Super Big Johns” with an even greater capacity of 130 tons. These cars were 61 feet long, 15 feet tall, and came at a cost of nearly $12 million. These cars also featured a long center-loading trough in the roof of the car.
The cars also began the movement of grain away from loading into boxcars equipped with wood or paper grain doors across the door openings and into purpose-built hopper cars.
Other Big John hoppers are preserved at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer and the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, Ga.
Way back then upon the birth of unit trains, Colorado coal crossed the Sierra destined for cement plants west of Santa Cruz and up a branch
that looked down at Silicon Valley.
But though the wheel bearings were allowing 263 thousand lbs for eight wheels (a freight car) the 33 inch (diameter) wheels over-heated when supplying the additional air braking that the dynamics needed on the 80 mile descent from Donner Pass.
Solution?
36 or 39 inch diameter wheels.
Did "Big Johns" have that defect?
I know of one that was behind Cape Fear railcar in Fayetteville, NC awaiting disposition from pioneer rail. That was months ago. Notified Spencer museum about it, to add to there collection. They barely have room for what they got. Anybody know how many are left roaming or awaiting disposition?
Is there any pictures out there?
I hope they paint them in the original paint scheme with the distinctive Big John logo. The logo was designed by D.W. Brosnan himself.
It is nice to see that freight cars are being preserved. They are as much a part of heritage as locomotives are.
Luke – Go to the SARM Facebook page for more details and photos.
George – The plans are to put it back in its original paint.
Douglas – SARM has a number of freight cars from railroads in the southeast, in particular Southern. We have done a number of photo freights over the years using them. As always, donations always appreciated to help keep them preserved.