U.S. FREIGHT CAR FLEET 1830-1890
| YEAR | NUMBER OF CARS | RAILROAD MILEAGE |
|---|
| 1830 | 50 | 23
|
| 1840 | 6500 | 2800
|
| 1850 | 30,700 | 9000
|
| 1860 | 100,000 | 30,600
|
| 1870 | 300,000 | 52,900
|
| 1880 | 539,200 | 93,300
|
| 1890 | 1,109,900 | 163,600
|
Source: The American Railroad Freight Car
Note: Figures before 1880 are estimated, figures after 1880 are from US Census, Poor's Manual of Railroads & yearly ICC reports. Main-line railroads only, no private, fast freight or leased cars.
FREIGHT CAR FLEET BY TYPE 1874
| TYPE | NUMBER |
|---|
| BOX | 124,009
|
| COAL | 86,887
|
| FLAT&GON | 76,198
|
| 4 WHEEL (mostly coal) | 47,284
|
| STOCK | 16,722
|
| OIL | 4000
|
| ORE | 2600
|
| LUMBER | 200
|
Source: The American Railroad Freight Car
Note: from 1874 National Car Builder based on Poor's data
U.S. FREIGHT CAR FLEET BY TYPE 1880 & 1890
| YEAR | BOX | COAL | FLAT | CATTLE | TANK | REEFER |
|---|
| 1880 | 194,500 | 183,500 | 70,500 | 28,600 | 3000 | 300
|
| 1890 | 408,900 | 354,100 | 131,600 | 57,300 | 2000 | 8500
|
Source: The American Railroad Freight Car
Note: ICC statistics, does not include privately owned Tankcars or Reefers