Maybe this photo of Frisco 600039 can serve as a weathering aid. Athearn has recently released an HO scale PC&F 50' ext. post SL-SF Frisco boxcar #600038.
Edit: Photo taken 1989 at Fairfield, Ca., on Southern Pacific tracks near Budweiser brewery.
Regards, Peter
Southern Pacific branch line- Origionally California Pacific (predecessor of SP) main line between Sacramento and San Francisco
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
Edit: Thanks DSchmitt for catching my boo-boo. Along with my poor research must have had N.P. on the mind.
Railroads can be like people. They decide on paint jobs with no thought as to what they will look like later on.
Charlie