RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GRAIN TRANSIT LOSSES AND BOXCAR DEFECTS

This study was done primarily to guide economic-engineering research aimed at reducing transit losses of grain transported in boxcars. A total of 1,989 incoming cars of wheat, corn, and soybeans were inspected in 1965 and 1966 at grain elevators. Cars without apparent grain leaks or defects at time of unloading were classified as clear-record cars and all other cars were classified by the type of defect observed. Wheat cars with defective walls had an estimated mean loss of 268 pounds more grain per car than cars without defective walls, and this difference in loss was statistically significant. Cars with defective floors had an estimated mean loss of 360 pounds more grain per car than cars without that defect, and this difference in loss was statistically significant. For boxcars with defective grain doors, the mean loss was estimated to be 202 pounds more per car than for boxcars without defective grain doors, but this difference was not statistically significant. However, the mean loss in cars equipped with paper grain doors was estimated to be 324 pounds more than the mean loss in cars using wooden grain doors, and this difference in loss was statistically significant.

• Corporate Authors:

  Department of Agriculture

  Agricultural Research Service
  Hyattsville, MD  United States  20782
• Authors:
  • Guilfoy Jr, R F
  • Mongelli, R C
• Publication Date: 1969-3

Media Info

• Pagination: 13 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Grain; Loss and damage
• Uncontrolled Terms: Grain trade
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Railroads;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00046056
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Department of Agriculture
• Report/Paper Numbers: ARS 52-25
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 16 1973 12:00AM