NW 164401 (Norfolk and Western), 1964
Builder: Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company
Type: 50-foot double plugdoor steel boxcar
Classification: Class B-114 (general service, with XL loading features)
Original Use: General merchandise freight car for diversified cargo including palletized goods, appliances, paper, and industrial products
Built: February 1964
Road Number Series: Approximately 164000–164799
Build and Early Service
NW 164401 was constructed in early 1964 by Pullman-Standard, during the final years of the independent Norfolk and Western Railway before its major mergers. This period saw N&W investing in modern steel boxcars to replace aging wooden and smaller steel fleets, improving efficiency for Midwest and Appalachian traffic.
The car belonged to class B-114, a series of 50-foot, 70-ton capacity boxcars equipped for special loading (marked “XL” for extra length/load features like belt rails or interior fittings). These were versatile for boxcar-dependent industries in the 1960s, including manufactured goods from Ohio and coal-region shipments.
Delivered new in N&W’s signature blue paint scheme (with large white N&W “hamburger” herald and full “Norfolk and Western” name), the car entered revenue service on N&W’s vast network. It likely hauled mixed freight across routes from Norfolk, VA, to Midwestern hubs like Toledo and beyond.
Service Life and Retirement
From 1964 to the early 1970s, NW 164401 operated under N&W, handling general freight in an era when boxcars still dominated non-bulk traffic.
Acquisition by Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum
Following retirement from Norfolk & Western service, NW 164401 was acquired by the Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway and Museum (TLEW), a non-profit heritage railroad operating on 10 miles of former N&W trackage between Waterville and Grand Rapids, Ohio. The museum, focused on preserving Northwest Ohio’s railroad heritage—including equipment from predecessor lines like the Nickel Plate Road and N&W—added this boxcar to its outdoor collection as a static display piece representative of mid-20th-century freight equipment.
Specifications
| Specification | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | Pullman-Standard | Built in P-S Lot 9254 |
| Year Built | 1964 (BLT 2-64) | February 1964 |
| Class | B-114 | General service with XL features |
| Capacity | 140,000 lbs (70 tons) | |
| Load Limit | 150,400 lbs | |
| Light Weight | 64,500 lbs | Approximate, from car markings |
| Inside Length | 50′ 6″ | |
| Cubic Capacity | 4,958 cu ft | |
| Extreme Width | ~10′ 6″ | Standard; markings show some variations |
| Height | 14′ 3″ | |
| Features | Double plugdoors, ribbed roof, welded steel construction, equipped for special loading (XL) | |
| Trucks | Standard 70-ton | Likely Barber or similar (visible in photos) |
| AAR Plate | Likely B or C | Suitable for 1960s interchange |
Collection Details
Accession: N/A | Acquired: N/A | Status: On Display