Freight
Reading Company Gondola, Class GHo, #31405 & #31653
Background & History
Class GHo Gondolas were part of a series of 1700 cars built in 1956 by Bethlehem Steel at their Johnstown, Pa plant. The GHo series of cars were numbered 31000 thru 31699. These were 70 ton cars with a capacity of 1748 cu. ft. They had fixed ends with a solid steel floor. #31405 was built in Sept 14, 1956 and car #31653 was built in October 16, 1956.
Built for the steel mill trade, these were heavy cars built for the abuses of the trade. On the Reading, they were referred to as “Mill Gongs”. Compared to the previously built long gondolas, Class GHo had a different profile and was of all welded construction. Only a small number of this class was repainted into the later yellow and green. One was known to have flat plate steel replacement ends.
#31405 at Leesport PA, date unknown.
(Photo Courtesy Charles Murphy, Jr)
#31653 at Leesport, PA in August 1991.
(Photo Courtesy John Caples)
Plans are to repaint both cars using the color black and the original “Reading Speed Lettering”.
#31405 was donated to The RCT&HSs by the Reading & Northern Railroad in 2002.
#31653 was purchased from Conrail.