The Salem and Hillsborough Railroad

Hillsborough, New Brunswick

History

This car was built as CN 98204 by CC&F in September 1954 on lot 2095. It is a patented design known as "Improved Hart Convertible Car" for Maintenance of Way use. The car can be unloaded through the bottom or through the sides. For side unloading of ballast the end gates are removed and the side doors unlocked. A plough pulled through the cars by means of a cable would force the ballast out through the side doors. In later years a small bulldozer would be driven through the cars to accomplish the same purpose. For bottom unloading a section of the floor could be lifted up and laid against the sides at a 45 degree angle. Hopper doors were located under the floor opening for gravity unloading. The car has a steel frame but the floors, walls and doors are of wood. In later years the bottom doors were not maintained as the newer longitudinal hopper car were preferred.

About 1968 the cars were in a general renumbering program and cars with working bottom doors became the 104000 series. Cars without became 102000 series. The car was retired from commercial service in 1986.

Its inside length is 40' 10" and the bottom hopper section is 25' 11". Its inside width is 8' 7", height 3’ 6", and its volume is 1,225 cubic feet. Its weight is 55,700 lbs and carrying capacity is 110,000 lbs. Overall length is 44' 8". Original cost was $10,590.

104095 with a bit of gravel left from the last ballast load.