In the United States, the word “carload” has often been used as an informal indication of quantity. The car referred to is a railroad freight car.
An 1883 source says:
“As a general rule the following quantities constitute a car load throughout Canada and the United States, viz.,” [data converted to a table for ease of reading]
| Product | Quantity |
|---|---|
| salt | 20,000 pounds, or 70 barrels |
| lime | 70 barrels |
| flour | 70 barrels, or 200 sacks |
| whiskey | 60 barrels |
| hard wood | 6 cords |
| soft wood | 7 cords |
| horses | 16 head |
| cattle | 18 to 20 head |
| hogs | 50 to 60 head |
| sheep | 80 to 100 head |
| solid boards | 9000 feet [presumably board-feet] |
| siding | 17,000 feet |
| flooring | 13,000 feet |
| shingles | 40,000 [board feet?] |
| "hard lumber" | 20,000 [board feet?] |
| green lumber | 30,000 [board feet?] |
| joists, scantling, and all other large timber |
36,000 [board feet?] |
| wheat | 340 bushels |
| corn | 360 bushels |
| oats | 680 bushels |
| barley | 400 bushels |
| flaxseed | 360 bushels |
| apples | 360 bushels |
| Irish potatoes | 430 bushels |
| sweet potatoes | 356 bushels |
| bran | 1000 bushels |
1. The Grocer's Companion and Merchant's Hand-Book.
Boston: New England Grocer, 1883.
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Last revised: 17 June 2002.