The lumber car is not an uncommon piece but this one is unusual.
The stakes have punched tabs at the top. This one has a string around the perimeter which I do not believe is original but I am unwilling to remove until further information is forthcoming. The consensus is that this is the earliest variation of the lumber car and that the tabs were punched to help retain the keeper. This is not, however, cast in stone. If you have this car in an original boxed set or if you have another thought about the purpose of the tabs, please let me know. marxtin@comcast.net