What is a gondola?

Perhaps more than any other freight car designs, gondolas (also known as simply “gons”), a close relative of the flatcar but often sporting low ribbed sides, is the catchall of the railroad industry. Often getting little respect it is typically beaten to death in service but is well-liked for its multitude of uses.

How did the gondola change over time?

One of the first noticeable changes to the gondola occurred in 1905 when the Ralston Steel Car Company of Columbus, Ohio came up with a drop-bottom system with outward chutes that allowed the floor to be manually opened and use the force of gravity to quickly and efficiently remove the car’s contents, which would disperse to the sides.

Are there any gondolas on the Beaufort railroad?

Beaufort & Morehead Railroad 80-tonner #85 has a pair of classic gondolas as the little switcher works the waterfront in Beaufort, North Carolina in January, 1985. Warren Calloway photo.

Why is a gondola not a hopper car?

The reason the car is still classified as a gondola is that it does not have angled drop-bottom hatches or chutes like open-top hopper cars. If gons are being used to haul coal they are usually emptied all at once by being tipped upside down or having their load immediately emptied from their 90-degree drop-bottom hatches.

What is a gondola? The Gondola is the most famous traditional Venetian boat. It is an 11 m long and 1,42 m wide handmade boat, built with 280 pieces of 8 different kinds of wood, weighing about 400 kg. Gondolas are built in traditional Venetian dockyards called “squeri,” and every gondola needs about six months to be made.

What is a gondola ride in Venice?

Gondola Ride. The gondola (English: /ˈɡɒndələ/, Italian: [ˈɡondola]; Venetian: góndoła [ˈɡoŋdoɰa]) is a traditional, flat-bottomed Venetian rowing boat, well suited to the conditions of the Venetian lagoon. It is similar to a canoe.

How long does it take to build a gondola?

It is an 11 m long and 1,42 m wide handmade boat, built with 280 pieces of 8 different kinds of wood, weighing about 400 kg. Gondolas are built in traditional Venetian dockyards called “squeri,” and every gondola needs about six months to be made.

Can you kiss in the gondolas at the Venetian?

GONDOLA RIDE AT THE VENETIAN DESCRIPTION Listening to an Italian serenade while floating in a gondola through the Venetian’s Grand Canal Shoppes is a relaxing and entertaining experience. Following the popular Italian tradition, couples can kiss under each bridge for good luck. Pucker up, because there are quite a few of them.