Freight Wagon
Definition
Freight wagons were heavy four-wheeled vehicles pulled by animals that were used for transporting bulk quantities of commercial goods, supplies, raw materials and equipment over lengthy distances.
Utility
The freight wagon was used by the freighting industry of the frontier days. It has been replaced by the rail, trucking, and delivery industries of today.
Types
Freight wagon types can be divided by their appearance and utility.
- Commercial Freighters
- Conestoga
- Large business/express
- Drays
- Heavier farm
- Tall-sided
- Ore
- Ice
- Military
Freighters
- Escort
- Pontoon
- Daugherty
What is not a freight wagon
Lighter duty wagons that were used for short distance hauling are not considered freight wagons. These light duty wagons were used on farms and for delivery of goods.
- Farm
- Spring
- Delivery
Eastern vs Western
Freight wagons can be divided into eastern and western types. The eastern types were used where the terrain was flatter and less rugged. The western types were used in the rugged mountain terrain.
