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U. S. Army 1149?
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Hello Pnightshade, I was a child of about 3 years when the war began and 7 years old when it ended. l do remember so called "troop trains" that resembled track crew cars of an early vintage, outside braced metal cars. They were little morte than glorified box cars with windows and painted in the typical olive drab livery of the U.S. Army. Now, thousands of American soldiers were trasported by any means available during the early stages of W.W. II. Any and all standard (heavy weight) or smooth side streamlined day coaches were employed for moving the G.I.s coast to coast or just a few hundred miles. There was nothing to set them apart from any other ordinary day coaches on the various roads. Bear in mind that paint pigments were at a premium during the war years. "Lucky Strike green (cigarette package) has gone to war." Thus, Pullman Green was the color found on the heavey weights while the smooth sides bore the company's ususal colors. Blue interior lights were used after dark and the shades were pulled closed. Many soldiers on leave used trains for transport, so there were always many uniformed soldiers on all passenger runs. Your locomotive roster will work just fine for that era. Anything up to the EMD E-6, E-7's and Alco Pa's would be more rare than steam but present at that time. What I recall as most impressive were the endless runs of military ordinance (tanks, A.A., jeeps, etc.) lashed down on flat cars. Pushers, pullers and mid train helpers were often seen on long consists. As far as train order, I don't remember there having been any set rule other than "mess cars" seemed to be scattered rather than coupled together. Nearly every train would be bound for the same destination, so there was little need for shunting cars in reclassification yards. I hope this is helpful and good luck.
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