Berwick 60' Excess-Height Waffle-Side Double Plug-Door Boxcar - Ready to Run -- Norfolk & Western #604531 (black, Large NW)

This 60' excess height boxcar with waffle sides and double plug doors is painted black with white lettering and white excess height end masks with black lettering. It was built in December 1978 by Berwick Forge and fabricating and runs on Barber Roller Bearing trucks. Most excess height cars were assigned for appliance service however, this 24-car fleet was assigned to automotive parts service. The |waffle} pattern on the sides indicates internal belt rails allowing for a damage-free delivery. The design of the excess height car came about in answer to the need to accommodate use of automated loading devices such as forklifts and the stacking of tall appliance crates in the cars. This enabled maximum use of space with fewer cars needed for a shipment.