Rail Car: Coast Trading Co. ??

Question

An ancient looking hopper with faded Coast Trading Co. : Portland, Oregon paint on it rolled into Hamilton, On. this week, It is facinating to see vintage rolling stock from across the continent here. Anybody know the history of the company?? What period were they operating in?? FYI the reporting mark was CC (Chicago Central and Pacific)

Answer 1

I'll follow up Hoghead's comment with a little more info on the CC. He correctly identifies a predecessor of the Milwaukee Road. However, the Chicagi Central in question here was spun off from the Illinois Central Gulf in the late '80s. The ICG pared down to its core North/South system and sold its Chicago/Omaha line to this operator who called it the Chicago Central & Pacific. They made a marginal line very attractive again and the IC eventually bought them back. This is now part of the Canadian National System.

The CC bought a bunch of hoppers from leasing companes and stenciled them for the CC. This Coast Trading Co. hopper was probably owned by GE Credit, Pulman Leasing, or Trinity Leasing and only had the advertising for Coast Trading. I still see CC hoppers in Kansas City, although not very often. They used to be seen along the Gateway Western quite a bit as IC provided cars for the GWWR. Since KCS now owns them, they provide the cars.

Answer 2

Interesting.

If original, this car will be equipped with old friction bearings.

On this side of the border, these cars are not allowed to be interchanged. I'd like to see some photos if you have a chance to snap any.

I'm trying to find some info for ya on the CCP. I'll chime back in if I can find anything.

OK, I'm back.

There is some guess work here, but I think that the Chicago Central & Pacific was a line that was absorbed by Milwaukee and Mississippi Railway, incorporated in 1847, on its way to becoming the Chicago, Milwaukee, St Paul and Pacific Railroad Company, aka "The Milwaukee Road," that built westward to Washington State, at Seattle, with that line being completed in 1909.

Like I say, an educated guess. Sorry I can't be more definite.