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The Chicago SouthShore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) is spending more than $8 million to purchase 100 42-foot gondolas for coiled steel traffic.

Last month, Trinity Industries Inc. began delivering the 112-ton capacity cars, which feature end-of-car cushioning devices, one-piece covers and a continuous trough with moveable crossbars to accommodate steel coils ranging from 30 to 84 inches in diameter.

Shippers along the short line’s 129-mile system between Chicago and South Bend, Ind. — which include U.S. Steel, Mittal Steel and Roll Coater Inc. — account for about one-fifth of the nation’s total steel production. Since launching operations 16 years ago, CSS has leased or purchased 190 cars, primarily to serve steel shippers.

Owned by Anacostia & Pacific Co. Inc., CSS plans to spend about $10 million this year on capital improvements, including purchases of new equipment.