When you think of railroad freight, livestock might not be your first thought. However, up until the 1970s and 1980s, the transport of cows, sheep, pigs, and other domesticated animals was common.
An Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway train carrying stock cars leaving for the east. Jack Delano photo, Library of Congress collection.
Railroads started hauling livestock around 1830, but this was initially done in regular boxcars outfitted with ventilated doors. Unfortunately, these dark and stuffy cars caused added stress to the animals, and many died en route to their destination. In 1870, the first patent for a specific livestock-carrying car was submitted. Though subsequently modified, “stock cars” (essentially louvered boxcars) began carrying livestock to their destinations.
In the mid-20th century, modern freezing techniques meant many meat packing plants were split from one central location to several regional locations. This reduced the transportation distance. With the rise of truck transportation in the 1950s, it was more cost effective to move livestock a shorter distance with trucks than by rail across the country. Most railroads ended livestock shipments by the 1980s, though Union Pacific continued to ship hogs into the early 1990s.
Northern Pacific Stock Car 83296 on display in the Train Shed.
Northern Pacific 83296 in the Museum’s collection is a typical stock car. Built in August 1930 by the Ryan Car Co. of Hegewisch, Illinois, it has a removable second deck to be able to carry pigs and sheep. It continued to haul animals through the 1970 Burlington Northern merger. In 1981 the car was reassigned to Maintenance of Way service, and in 1982 the Museum purchased and subsequently restored the car. It is currently on display in the Train Shed as part of our Foodways exhibit.
Interior of NP 83296 showing second level deck.
