2.1.6 Car Cleanout

Prototype Information.

Coopering is the name used for the general clean-out, cleanup and repair of the in side of a car before it is loaded .

Cars are inspected prior to release to the customer. That inspection can take place anywhere or anytime. Foreign card (those not owned by the home road) are usually inspected at the time of interchange. AAR Circular OT-10, Code of Car Service Rules, Rule 12 states that cars containing refuse may be rejected by the receiving road when offered in interchange. A car that is damaged can be rejected by the receiving road or may be repaired by the receiving road at owners expense.

NP car cleanout form

Cars are forwarded to the yard cleanout. The inside of  the car is cleaned out. Pieces of lumber, scrap paper, old grain, etc., are removed from the car, and the interior inspected for contamination. Sometimes a car has been loaded with a commodity which makes the car unfit for loading anything else

The inside walls of most 40-foot box cars and many 50-foot box cars are lined with wood . The wood gets damaged and needs repair. Damaged floor boards, holes in the floor, etc., is usually repaired by placing pieces of sheet meal over the holes and nailing them to the floor. Side walls may be repaired the same way or the wood paneling replaced as warranted.

The WWSL

The WWSL has a car cleanout spot identified in Demaine Yard. It will be located at the end of the Industrial Lead track. 

Instead of a WWSL unique car cleanout form, a situation card placed in the Car Card will identify the required cleanup requirement. The car will be place at the cleanout spot for remediation and return to service.

Reference

The Milwaukee Road, Instructions for Inspection, Classification and Carding of Boxcar Grading and Inspecion of cars , 1939.