Operating Era: 1901-1952. Missouri, Kansas & Texas, Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, St. Louis-San Francisco, Chicago & Eastern Illinois, Evans & Terra Haute, Wichita Falls & Southern. During the late 1890s-1900s many roads kept using gondolas for hauling coal rather than switching to hopper cars. Tens of thousands of cars were built of slightly varying desogns. We offer a typical design of American Car and Foundry.