I was told a long time ago that on double door boxcars the reporting marks had to be positioned so that they would still be visible when the doors were fully opened.
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Looking at this Accurail model of a CENTRAL OF GEORGIA boxcar, that does not seem to be true. I did an an image search, and it absolutely is not true. In fact, I could not find a single example of a car that WAS NOT obscurred when the doors were open.
So, was it ever a rule that the railroad initials and car number had to be visible with the doors open?
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 I was told a long time ago that on double door boxcars the reporting marks had to be positioned so that they would still be visible when the doors were fully opened. So, was it ever a rule that the railroad initials and car number had to be visible with the doors open?
No. It was not a rule. I just did a very quick look at a picture book of freight cars, and found exceptions to that "rule" right away.
Hence:
NO. It was not a rule.
But it would be a convenience not to have the reporting marks covered, on that day when someone would like to read them. But, clearly, some railroads did not take that into consideration in their painting diagrams for these cars.
Ed
Reporting marks are also painted on the ends of the car where they are not hidden by an open door.
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.
DSchmittReporting marks are also painted on the ends of the car where they are not hidden by an open door.
In addition, thewre would be stenciling on the inside of the doors and overhead on the "side plate" or door header:
PRR_X51 by Edmund, on Flickr
I have seen photos of cars inside large warehouses where the configuration of loading bays would make it difficult to see much of the outside of the cars. Clerks and loaders would have to rely on the interior markings.
Thank You, Ed
gmpullmanClerks and loaders would have to rely on the interior markings.
Wow, I had no idea there were markings inside the car. Your explanation makes perfect sense and something I never considered.
Strange, because I have been in lots of warehouses where the only thing visible is the inside of a van trailer, and they are all well marked on the interior so the forklift operator can identify the correct trailer. I should have assumed railroads did the same thing!
I am amazed some times at how little I know.
There are also reporting marks on the frame and sometimes on the trucks. During the 1970's a shortline was taking PC boxcars, repainting them for the shortline and putting them out as their cars. They got caught when people noticed that the frames and inside had different reporting marks and they were still valid.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Looking at my collection of double door boxcars I think only the Burlington Northern car has a number that gets coverered when the door is open. All of the other roads look like the number is far enough to the left that it is clear.