Riveting plates on to the car's outer frame.
Overhead crane lowering car side into place.
This enormous industrial complex covered a large part of the central section of the city, located on 165th Street, which was once called Standard Avenue named for the Standard Steel Car Manufacturing Company.
The plant opened up in 1929 at the former Standard Steel Car Manufacturing Company, which had originally opened the facility in 1906. Unfortunately this was at the time of the Great Depression, the plant closed just as soon as it had opened and remained closed for almost ten years. Several thousand now found themselves on the unemployment lines.
With the end of the depression and the outbreak of war the plant reopened putting thousands back to work. All of this took place around 1938. During the 1940's the company was quite prosperous, because these were war times the company switched a large portion of its production to war implements including field guns, shells, mortars and Sherman tanks. The plant had received many production and quality awards from the government which included the Army-Navy "E" Excellence Award, a great honor.
With the end of the war the company switched back to rail car production. In 1966 strong demand for new rail freight cars prompted the company to open up its Champ Carry Technical Research Center located on Field Street northwest of the factory complex.
The plant remained busy during the 1970's with many large Amtrak passenger car building contracts. However, when the last Amtrak contract was completed the company closed the plant in 1981.
The all steel pullman car was a product of many subassembly components. The first part is the under frame, or the car's foundation. It must carry all of the weight from above, it can also be called the car's backbone.
After the under frame is in place, other pre-assembled sections can be placed on top of it. These parts are carried into place and lowered into position by an overhead crane. It is now more recognizable as the skeleton of the car's sides. All of the sides and roof are then fitted into place, riveted, bolted sand blasted and primed. Next electrical conduit, steam and water pipes along with insulation are installed between the outer and inner walls and roof, now the car is ready for paint. Exterior painting requires sixteen days and two more for drying.
Twenty days are required to paint the interior of the car. The prime coat requires two days to dry. After more priming and painting and all surface irregularities are filled, sanded and smoothed, they are allowed to dry for two days. On the thirteenth day the first coat of varnish is applied, followed by ornamentation and decoration. A final coat of varnish is just rubbed down.
Now the car is ready to be fitted with trim. All interior fixtures are installed these being lamps, berths, doors, etc. While all of this is taking place the plumbing, air brake system, water tanks, battery boxes, etc are also put in place. Finally the window coverings, carpeting and seats are put in thus completing the car. Now each car must undergo a series of rigorous tests before it is put into service.
Riveting plates on to the car's outer frame. |
Overhead crane lowering car side into place. |
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