Hi,

I have heard that the ACL Ventilated box Class o-17 cars known as " watermelon cars" lasted until the late 1950s and some beyond.

What was carried in them at this time? Were they still used to carry produce or vegetables etc? or did they have a different role?

thanks

MATT

-- matt strickland (matthewjstrickland@yahoo.co.uk), February 11, 2005

Answers

Matt,

They were in used for transporting watermelons and canteloupes as late as 1966, that I am aware of (at Trilby, Florida).

I saw some later, as Larry has indicated, in MofW service as "expended materials" (trash) cars.

Aaron Dowling

-- Aaron Dowling (adowling@merandb.com), February 14, 2005.

There was one of these at Trilby, Fl until the early 70's on an out- of-the-way siding. It was in a dilapated condition and if they tried to move it, it would probably have fallen apart.

-- August Staebler (astae@aol.com), February 13, 2005.

Yes a small number lasted until 1966 or so. The very last ones were used for MofW service and company material, and perhaps for general loading. It's a good question when the last ones were loaded with any kind of produce, but my guess would be around 1962 or 1963.

-- Larry Goolsby (lgoolsby@aphsa.org), February 11, 2005.