When I lived in Jackson, Ms., in 1999-2000, one of the things I observed was the proliferation of per-diem cars modified with raised roofs and vents along the sill and in the room. One of the most common reporting marks was OAR, the Old Augusta RR. CN's description of the OAR can be seen here.
These cars are vented because they are rebuilt to carry wood pulp and are vented to minimize fire risk from vapor accumulating inside the car.
OAR #62306 50' Berwick exterior-post SDR box car with sill and roof vents in switch cut IC Jackson Yard Mississippi 04-20-99. Through the open door one can see: the plastic vent opening on the far wall to the right of the door, the freshly painted interior, and very fresh flooring. It's also interesting that the roof was raised such a small amount, but it is likely that installing the roof vents required that the roof be raised to retain sufficient interior cubic space. I also find it interesting that the vents on the roof are directly above the vents along the sill; having them aligned probably creates a mild updraft when the car is moving. That would be sufficient to draw out the vapors and keep the car and its cargo safe.
The CN rebuilt a lot of 50' cars for this service as well; CN chose plug-door cars instead of sliding-door cars.
CN #413601 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CN #413859 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CN #413868 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CN #413871 50' XP Plug Door Box 2 Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CN #413871 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CN #414284 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CN #414309 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CNIS #413226 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
CNIS #413563 50' XP Plug Door Box Car CN-IC Yard 05-19-11
Another example of this kind of modified car:
These cars are an example of what keeps modern railroad modeling interesting.
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