MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

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GP30M4216
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MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by GP30M4216 »

When Marquette Rail started up, they acquired a bunch (150? 200?) of second hand standard 50’ boxcars, primarily for paper traffic to and from Manistee, I think. Among the lot were at least a few former DETROIT & MACKINAC cars with the large DM and billboard lettering. Do they still have these? Has anyone seen one on the move recently?
Last edited by GP30M4216 on Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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SD80MAC
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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by SD80MAC »

IIRC most of them (the D&M boxcars) have either been sold or scrapped. I had heard there was one stored somewhere up north on MQT in recent years, but not sure if it was still there. I haven't seen one for at least 3 or 4 years now. Our resident MQTer GLC 392 probably knows more.
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12Bridge
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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by 12Bridge »

Most of those old IPD era cars have aged out at this point.

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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by ns8401 »

12Bridge wrote:
Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:10 pm
Most of those old IPD era cars have aged out at this point.
Is the rule 40 years unless it gets an extended life exemption to 50?

I know after that it’s agreements between railroads and the cars go into a captive pool which is how a lot of frame flats and some high cubes continue to survive...
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SD80MAC
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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by SD80MAC »

ns8401 wrote:
Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:47 pm
12Bridge wrote:
Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:10 pm
Most of those old IPD era cars have aged out at this point.
Is the rule 40 years unless it gets an extended life exemption to 50?

I know after that it’s agreements between railroads and the cars go into a captive pool which is how a lot of frame flats and some high cubes continue to survive...
Anything built after July 1974 can go 50 years before it has to be rebuilt or withdrawn from interchange service.
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ns8401
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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by ns8401 »

SD80MAC wrote:
Sat Feb 13, 2021 9:13 am
ns8401 wrote:
Fri Feb 12, 2021 5:47 pm
12Bridge wrote:
Fri Feb 12, 2021 3:10 pm
Most of those old IPD era cars have aged out at this point.
Is the rule 40 years unless it gets an extended life exemption to 50?

I know after that it’s agreements between railroads and the cars go into a captive pool which is how a lot of frame flats and some high cubes continue to survive...
Anything built after July 1974 can go 50 years before it has to be rebuilt or withdrawn from interchange service.
If I’m not mistaken those D&M cars were newer than that weren’t they? Thinking 1978 or 1979.

Edit:
3 Series purchased in 1972, 1975 and 1977.
Last edited by ns8401 on Sat Feb 13, 2021 10:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by AARR »

I think one of the challenges the old D&M box cars (and all older box cars) face is they are rated for about 70-75 tons. Seems like the vast majority of what little box car traffic is left rides in 100 ton cars. I'm not sure if there is enough of a market for the 70-75 ton box car anymore.
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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by i995impalass »

GP30M4216 wrote:
Fri Feb 12, 2021 2:20 pm
When Marquette Rail started up, they acquired a bunch (150? 200?) of second hand standard 50’ boxcars, primarily for paper traffic to and from Manistee, I think. Among the lot were at least a few former DETROIT & MACKINAC cars with the large DM and billboard lettering. Do they still have these? Has anyone seen one on the move recently?
Lease ended with GATX and they went back, most got cut up in St. Louis around 2014.

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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by LansingRailFan »

I saw one the other day on NS 121. Reporting marks were LRWN

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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by ns8401 »

LansingRailFan wrote:
Sun Feb 14, 2021 10:50 am
I saw one the other day on NS 121. Reporting marks were LRWN
It would take a little more digging to unravel this one. There were three groups of them.. 1972, 1975 and 1977. I bet you saw one of the 77’s and MQT had a bunch of the 72’s.
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Re: MQT Detroit&Mackinac painted boxcars

Unread post by GLC 392 »

The only cars we have left are boxcar red boxes, a few Rock cars, and a few Virginia Central cars. The rest are gone but there are a few others that wander but no D&M, no Guilford, Ma & Pa cars are also gone.

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