Hide Cars

The Santa Fe Society's book, Santa Fe Boxcars 1869-1953 has several references to hide cars.

(p. 85), "In 1953, 25 BX-3 class cars (wood sheathed) were assigned to hide loading service and given numbers in the 40450-40474 series. The only modifications that they would likely have received were geared hand brakes and A-B brake systems, if they weren't already installed. Santa Fe instructions from 1953 indicate that the home point for these cars was Bell Yard, Texas. The last of these cars was retired from this service in 1961." Westerfield makes a kit for this car.

(P. 161) continues, "In 1950 through 1953, 65 of the BX-39 class (wood sheathed, 50') were assigned to hide service and renumbered into the 40180-40224 series. The only modification made to the cars was a coat of Cemtex protective paint on the interior surfaces, and appropriate routing instructions on the side of the car." Sunshine makes kit 29.20 for this car.

"Internal Santa Fe instructions of 1953 indicate that the home points were Bell Yard, TX, for sub-series 40180-40189 and Los Angeles, CA, for sub-series 40190-40224. The instructions also indicated that the cars could be sent loaded with other commodities to their home points. This was unusual, since the foul odor and residue from the hides could permeate the car and subsequently transfer the odor to many other types of loads. Normally, only the roughest types of loads (e. g. metal castings) could successfully be loaded in hide cars. Even then, the odor could be picked up by the packing materials. In later years the cars were marked with instructions that the cars should be used for hide loading only. Car number 40182 was the last car retired from this service in 1972."