Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
40-ton Railway Flatcar
This 40-ton wooden decked flatcar, manufactured by American Car and Foundry in the 1940s, was used to transport up to 80,000 pounds of cargo on domestic (US) railways. Made of a metal frame with oak planking for the floor, this is one of thousands built for military use. The increase in the weight of equipment and material meant an increase in the load capacity of flatcars. The 40-ton flatcars would be replaced with cars of 50-ton and later 100-ton capacity which are still in use today.
The coupling system was later modified, making it a "universal" or "combination" car, with European hook-and-link on one end and US automatic couplers on the other. This is essential in the movement of the museum's other European cars with US locomotives.
Erected by US Army Transportation Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, World II.
Location. 37° 9.984′ N, 76° 34.485′ 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
this page online
Regionally, this marker is on Virginias 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, in the Tidewater, and on the Eastern Seaboard. 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: Rail Operations in the Transportation Corps (here, next to this marker); Diesel-Electric Locomotive, MRS-1 (here, next to this marker); Steam Locomotive 2-8-0, (No. 607) & Tender (here, next to this marker); Diesel-Electric Locomotive, RSD-1 (a few steps from this marker); Berlin Duty Train - Passenger Coach
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 716 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 28, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
