[Ellenshar]

The Rock Grain Car

Okay, here we go again.

I couldn't find this on the internet, but I found "The Rock" 4 bay hopper (same color). It is a Bachmann. I was just wondering what "The Rock" means or stands for?

Also, what do all the numbers/letters mean printed all over the trains? Are they just for decoration, is there some other meaning behind them?

 

[Boston&Maine]

You do not listen to Johnny Cash?

Down the Rock Island Line is a might good road
Oh the Rock Island Line is the road to ride
The Rock Island Line is a mighty good road
Well if you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station of the Rock Island Line​

"The Rock" is the nickname of a now defunct railroad... The full name was the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad... Yes, there is some meaning behind those numbers printed all over the car... "ROCK 37025" is the rolling stock's identification number (note, this is not the product number though!)... "New 7-45" was the month and year in which the car was built (some manufacurers used the date representing when the prototype was made, while others used it to show when the actual model was made)... All of the smaller black numbers are measurements from the prototype, such as the box car's load capacity and dimensions...

 

[Ellenshar]

I haven't heard it - but dad just walked by my computer and laughed when he read your reply. He said not only has he heard the song, he used to sing it in his country music band years ago!

 

[Boston&Maine]

I haven't heard it - but dad just walked by my computer and laughed when he read your reply. He said not only has he heard the song, he used to sing it in his country music band years ago!

LOL, that is awsome!

 

[stationmaster]

Looking at the wheelset, I see that they are talgo trucks. That tells me that it could be a Tyco, Model Power, or Life like car. There are some earlier manufacturers that used them as they tended to reduce derailments. But, the ones I mentioned are teh more recent companies using them.

 

[shaygetz]

BTW, that color is forever known as Rock Island "Bankruptcy Blue" as it was applied shortly before they went belly up.