N&W C3 caboose

[Aikidomaster]

I have seen photos and models of the N&W C3 caboose in both the red and blue paint schemes. What is the significance of the blue caboose color versus the red color scheme?

[BigJim]

These cabs, 518446 - 518460, were built in 1958 and delivered in red with NORFOLK AND WESTERN spelled out in white above the cab number. Later on they were repainted the so-called Pevler Blue & yellow with the "hamburger" N&W logo. After that, some were repainted red with the large white NW logo.

As for anything like "significance" of the paint, it was just the blue era.

What was significant was they only used a rubber draft gear which made for rougher slack action than the later cushioned underframe of the C31 & C32 cabs.

[oldline1]

I always thought the C-3 was a very handsome car. I was in Roanoke Station in 1958 when I saw my first one come through on a w/b freight. It was such a striking change from the "normal" CF & CG cabins I was used to seeing. Roger Huber