Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

40-ton Railway Flatcar

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

1. 40-ton Railway Flatcar Marker

Inscription. Capable of transporting 80,000 pounds, this 40-ton flatcar was manufactured in 1950 by US Pressed Steel Car Company. It was used solely in foreign service for transporting cargo too large and cumbersome for enclosed boxcars. The deck of of the car could be made either of steel or wood and the sides of the deck could include pockets for stakes or tie-down points to secure loads. Flatcars are often used to transport shipping containers or trailers. The European hook-and-link coupling further indicates this flatcar's designation for foreign service.

Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, Cold. A significant historical year for this entry is 1950.

Location. 37° 9.992′ N, 76° 34.487′ W. Marker is in Newport News, Virginia. It is in Fort Eustis. It can be reached from Washington Boulevard just south of Madison Avenue, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 300 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis VA 23604, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula,

in Hampton Roads,

in Coastal Virginia,

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 4-wheel, 20-ton Euoropean Service Boxcar (here, next to this marker); Berlin Duty Train - Passenger Coach (a few steps from this marker); Diesel-Electric Locomotive, MRS-1

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(a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named 40-ton Railway Flatcar (a few steps from this marker); Steam Locomotive 2-8-0, (No. 607) & Tender (a few steps from this marker); Petroleum Railway Tank Car (a few steps from this marker); Rail Operations in the Transportation Corps (a few steps from this marker); Wrecking Steam Locomotive Railway Crane (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Newport News.

Additional commentary.
1. Marker location
This marker is on the grounds of Fort Eustis. Permission was requested before photographing.

— Submitted February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

40-ton Railway Flatcar Display image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 26, 2021

2. 40-ton Railway Flatcar Display

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.