Evans 100 Ton Coil Car

Prototype Information

Until the 1960s, steel coils were generally transported either in open or covered gondola cars. This presented a problem, as there was no efficient way to load or unload these cumbersome products. The sheets of steel would frequently be damaged in the process, or even while in transit, especially when loaded onto open cars.

This all changed in the 1960s, when the Pennsylvania Railroad introduced it’s first fleet of specially designed steel coil cars. These early examples were constructed with special “pockets” built into them to allow the coils to sit upright for easier loading and unloading, however they continued to leave their cargo exposed. Subsequent examples received a removable hood to protect their loads, which proved to be a popular move. By the second half of the decade, the type had caught the attention of the Evans Products car manufacturer. Not long after, the 100-Ton Coil Car was born. Marketed to railroads across the country, the type was a resounding success, and examples remain in service to this day.