Rolling stock of the Civil War period included several types of freight cars that are still familiar to us today, although the early versions were somewhat smaller.  These early freight cars utilized extensive wooden construction, link-and-pin couplers, cast iron wheels, and hand brakes.  The bogey trucks (frames holding the wheels and axles) evolved during this period, with the earlier versions having some wooden components, while the later versions included more metal components.

The most widely used freight equipment of the Civil War era was the boxcar (sometimes called a "house car" in the 19th century).  Boxcars were often converted for  specialized uses by cutting holes for windows, adding stoves, or other modifications--modified boxcars with benches were used for troop transportation, and some were outfitted with stretchers to transport wounded soldiers.  A few boxcars were modified to serve as "conductor's cars" (identifiable by the oil lamp markers mounted on diagonal corners of the roof), the primitive ancestors of what we know as the caboose.

Although less common than boxcars, flatcars (sometimes called "platform" cars) were necessary for the transportation of bulky items.  Note the stake pockets along the sides: these allowed the insertion of vertical stakes to stabilize loads.  Horizontal boards fastened to the stakes would produce gondolas for hauling gravel and other similar granular materials.

  Railroad Equipment  |  Tennessee Civil War Railroads  |  Civil War Technology & Industry in Tennessee

Last update:  May 10, 2000