Trailer Numbering
Early Trailer Numbering
The trailer number was broken into three parts. The first two digits indicated the trailer length. These two digits were followed by an alphabet letter (C, E, or W). The significance of the letter is unknown. The letter was followed by numbers indicating the trailer number. Thus trailer 32E250 is a 32’ trailer numbered 250.
Late Trailer Numbering
Sometime around the latter part of 1959, the PRR decided to develop a uniform trailer numbering system. With this system, the first number indicated the type of trailer, the second digit the length, and the remaining digits the trailer number. First digit 1 - dry van 4 - not used 2 - not used 5 - refrigerated 3 - insulated 6 - flat bed.
For example, PRR55302 would be a refrigerated van, 35' in length; PRR 10120 would be a dry van, 40' in length.
The large disk logo on the trailers came about circa late 1959-1960.
AAR Trailer Numbering
During the early 1960's, the Association of American Railroads issued specifications for trailers and a set of interchange rules' for railroads to follow. They also standardized trailer reporting marks and issued a nationwide uniform identification for piggyback trailers. The new scheme consisted of a three-letter alphabet code of the user railroad, followed by the letter "Z." The first digit following this code would indicate the type of trailer, the second digit would indicate the size of the trailer and the remaining digits, the trailer number (See Figure 4).
The Pennsy immediately adopted this new system and began applying it to all its newer trailers. For example, PRRZ202642 would be a dry van, 40' long, with trailer number 2642. All photographs from the period 1963 to 1968 that I've seen show trailers with this type of numbering system.
24' Trailers
PRR 24' Open Top Trailer
24W600
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 86.
PRR 24' Single Axle Van Trailer
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 85.
The author corrects himself that this should be a 24' trailer.
26' Trailers
PRR 25'8" Single-Axle Smooth-Side Van Trailer
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 86.
PRR 26' Single-Axle Rib-Side Van Trailer - Fruehauf
Sylvan Scale Models kit #T-002 is a resin kit representing this trailer.
28' Trailers
PRR 28' Single-Axle Van Trailer
30' Trailers
Scott Brothers 30' Steel LCL Van Trailer
Scott Brothers was a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
#397
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 87.
PRR 30' Single Axle Van Trailer - Fruehauf
Curt LaRue believes these trailers were introduced in 1954.
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 87.
Sunshine Models, out of business, offered a resin kit depicting this trailer.
32' Trailers
PRR 32E250-32R257 Series - 32' Tandem Axle Trailer - Fruehauf
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 99.
Sunshine Models, out of business, offered a resin kit depicting this trailer (#82.17).
PRR 32C465-32C473 Series - 32' Tandem Axle Trailer
- Fruehauf
PRR 32E854-32W861 Series - 32' Tandem Axle Trailer
- Fruehauf
PRR 32W862-32W869 Series - 32' Insulated Tandem Axle Trailer
Curt LaRue believes these trailers were introduced in March 1955.
32W868
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 91.
PRR 32E94-32E102 Series - 32' Insulated Tandem Axle Trailer
May be identical to 32W862-32W869.
PRR 32C453-32C460 Series - 32' Insulated Tandem Axle Trailer
May be identical to 32W862-32W869.
PRR 32' Tandem Axle Trailer - Trailmobile
Curt LaRue believes these trailers were introduced in March 1955.
Walthers offers this trailer, #2405, which Curt LaRue, the PRRT&HS'
resident trailer expert, believes is a "foobie". Nice stand-in, none-the-less.
Walthers offers a generic 32' tandem axle trailer -- # 949-2363.
Classic Metal Works released a 32' single-axle trailer that is a "foobie".
33' Trailers
PRR 33W800-33W804 Series - Tandem Axle Flatbed Trailer
Kitbash instructions available in The Keystone Modeler, No. 106.
35' Trailers
PRR 35C522-35C549 Series - 35' Tandem Axle Trailer - Fruehauf
PRRZ 35C525 in 1958.
PRR Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, Volume Two
Rapido Fruehauf 35' Integral-Post Volume Van
Sparrows Point offers a plastic kit representing this trailer.
Walthers offers a representation of this trailer -- # 949-2312.
PRRZ 250041-250194 Series - 35' Tandem Axle Trailer - Fruehauf
According to Morning Sun Books, Piggyback Color Guide, Vol. 2, this series was built in January 1963.
Photo on page 58 of Piggyback Color Guide, Volume Two
PRRZ 250219-250227 Series - 35' Tandem Axle Trailer
PRRZ 250222 in 1965.
PRR Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, Volume Two
PRRZ 250304-250338 Series - 35' Tandem Axle Trailer
PRRZ 201700 (left) and 250341 (right) in 1965.
PRR Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, Volume Two
40' Trailers
PRRZ 200443-200592 Series - 40' Tandem Axle Trailer - Fruehauf Volume Van
According to Morning Sun Books, Piggyback Color Guide, Vol. 2, this series was built in the summer of 1964.
PRRZ 200578
Piggyback Color Guide, Voume Two
Rapido Fruehauf 40' Exterior-Post Volume Van
Sparrows Point offers a plastic kit representing this trailer.
Walthers offers a representation of this trailer -- # 949-2312.
PRRZ 201644-201743 Series - 40' Tandem Axle Trailer
PRRZ 201700 (left) and 250341 (right) in 1965.
PRR Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, Volume Two
PRRZ 201844-202843 Series - 40' Tandem Axle Trailer
PRRZ 201902 and 201904 in 1965.
PRR Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, Volume Two
Athearn offers this trailer -- #ATH72526.
PRRZ 202674-202928 Series - 40' Tandem Axle Trailer
PRRZ 202743 in 1967.
PRR Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, Volume Two
Athearn offers this trailer -- #ATH15648.
PRRZ 500218-500309 Series - 40' Insulated Tandem Axle Trailer - Fruehauf
According to Morning Sun Books, Piggyback Color Guide, Vol. 2, this series was built in January-February 1965 and were fitted with Thermo-King units and were owned by Fruit Growers Express and leased to the Pennsy.
Piggyback Color Guide, Voume Two
| TrucTrain Trailer Fleet 1959 “PRR Directory of Pennsy TrucTrain Service” |
||||||
| Manufacturer | Trailer Numbers | Length | Side Door | Axle S/T | Qty | Year Appeared |
| Closed Van | ||||||
|
Fruehauf |
32E51-32E60 |
32'0" |
No |
T |
9 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32E61-32E70 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
10 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32E89-32E84 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
5 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32E85-32E89 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
5 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32E250-32E257 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
8 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32C465-32C473 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
9 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32W783-32W794 |
32'4" |
No |
T |
9 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32W854-32W861 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
8 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
32W900-32W914 |
32'4" |
No |
T |
7 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
35C522-35C549 |
34'6" |
Yes |
T |
28 |
|
|
Highway |
35C575-35C586 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
12 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
PRR1500-PRR1599 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
100 |
|
|
Fruehauf |
PRR15100-PRR15234 |
32'0" |
Yes |
T |
135 |
|
| Closed Van - Refrigerated | ||||||
| Fruehauf | 35CR500-35CR511 | 35'0" | Yes | T | 12 | |
| Trailmobile | 35CR512 | 35'0" | Yes | T | 1 | |
| Closed Van - Insulated | ||||||
| Fruehauf | 32E90-32E93 | 32'10" | No | T | 4 | |
| Fruehauf | 32E94-32E102 | 32'0" | Yes | T | 9 | |
| Fruehauf | 32C450-32C452 | 32'10" | No | T | 3 | |
| Fruehauf | 32C453-32C460 | 32'0" | Yes | T | 8 | |
| Fruehauf | 32W850-32W852 | 32'10" | No | T | 3 | |
| Fruehauf | 32W862-32W869 | 32'0" | Yes | T | 8 | |
| Open Top Van (High Side) | ||||||
| Fruehauf | 32E125-32E128 | 32'4" | - | T | 4 | |
| Fruehauf | 32E130-32E149 | 32'4" | - | T | 20 | |
| Fruehauf | 32E156-32E167 | 32'4" | - | T | 12 | |
| Fruehauf | 32E168-32E172 | 35'0" | - | T | 5 | |
| Fruehauf | 32C413-32C449 | 32'4" | - | T | 37 | |
| Fruehauf | 32C461-32C464 | 32'4" | - | T | 4 | |
| Fruehauf | 32X750-32X769 | 32'4" | - | T | 20 | |
| Fruehauf | 32X770-32X782 | 32'4" | - | T | 13 | |
| Fruehauf | 32W784-32W916 | 32'4" | - | T | 11 | |
| Open Top Van (Low Side) | ||||||
| Fruehauf | 32E206-32E212 | 32'0" | - | T | 7 | |
| Fruehauf | 32E213-32E214 | 32'0" | - | T | 2 | |
| Kentucky | 34W853 | 34'8" | - | T | 1 | |
| Flat Bed | ||||||
| Trailmobile | 31E76-31E79 | 31'7" | - | T | 4 | |
| Fruehauf | 32E190-32E205 | 32'0" | - | T | 16 | |
| Fruehauf | 32C550-32C574 | 32'0" | - | T | 25 | |
| Fruehauf | 32W825-32W827 | 32'0" | - | T | 3 | |
| Fruehauf | 32W829-32W849 | 32'0" | - | T | 21 | |
| Fruehauf | 33W800-33W804 | 33'0" | - | T | 5 | |
| Fruehauf | 33W806-33W814 | 33'0" | - | T | 9 | |
| Fruehauf | 33W816-33W820 | 33'0" | - | T | 5 | |
| Fruehauf | PRR6500-PRR6515 | 35'0" | - | T | 16 | |
| Trailmobile | PRR6516-PRR6528 | 35'0" | - | T | 13 | |
Plan 3 Shipping Partners
Under plan three shipping, the Pennsy loaded shippers trailers onto PRR cars. A number of these shippers' trailers have been produced...
Cooper-Jarrett from Classic Metal Works
Spector Freight from Classic Metal Works
Mid States from Classic Metal Works
Chicago Express from Classic Metal Works
Eastern Motor Express from Classic Metal Works (may be N scale only)
References/Suggested Reading
"TrucTrain Studies", The Keystone, Spring 2012, Vol.45, No. 1.
Nesladek, Mike, "Pennsy's TrucTrain Service", The Keystone, Autumn 1992, Vol. 25, No. 2.
"Gus Minardi’s Fabulous TrucTrain Flats", The Keystone Modeler, December 2008, No. 65.
LaRue, Curt, "Pennsy Merchandise and TrucTrain Trailers -- Part 1A -- Short Merchandise Trailers", The Keystone Modeler, Summer 2013, No. 85.
LaRue, Curt, "Pennsy Merchandise and TrucTrain Trailers -- Part 1B -- Short Merchandise Trailers", The Keystone Modeler, Autumn 2013, No. 86.
LaRue, Curt, "Pennsy Merchandise and TrucTrain Trailers -- Part 2 -- 30' Scott Brothers and TrucTrain Trailers", The Keystone Modeler, Winter 2014, No. 87.
LaRue, Curt, "TrucTrain Trailers – Part 3", The Keystone Modeler, Winter 2015, No. 91.
LaRue, Curt, "PRR 32’ TrucTrain Tandem Axle Closed Van Trailers", The Keystone Modeler, Winter 2017, No. 99.
LaRue, Curt, "33' PRR TrucTrain Flatbed Trailer in HO", The Keystone Modeler, Autumn 2018, No. 106.
