I have another one for the group.
I am trying to make custom decals for a grain fleet for my railroad using Athearn 3-bay Covered Hoppers. (You can't do autumn freight trains in Eastern Montana within the last 35-40 years without having grain hopper trains even though I don't like unit trains.) While my eyes may be 20/20 according to my eye doctor, I am unable to completely read the information on the bottom of panels 7, 8, 11, 12 and 14. I think panel 7 says "Clean Top Surfaces & Slide Surfaces Before" and panel 8 finishes the phrase with "Closing". I also think panel 12 is the builders information, but I can't read enough of the information to be able to type it into my graphics program. The rest of it is not readable.
As usual, any help the forums can provide would be most welcomed.
Different railroads or different paint schemes didn't necessarily have the exact same lettering in the exact same locations (although it should be similar) and if it's a private owner/lessor car some of that data might also be the lease information.
It might be helpful to know what photo reference(s) you're using here.
Since you mentioned the Athearn car, and lettering on different panels, you should be talking about the old Athearn 4740 cuft Pullman-Standard car? Be careful that you're also not looking at dimensional data for slightly larger 4750 versions, and especially not similar cars by other builders. Or if you're using another model as your reference, that they actually got that right and didn't do a different car's scheme as a stand in.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
Yes, I am looking at the Athearn BB 5300-series cars. Specifically, I am looking at an NP version (5307). I have checked and at least the number on the car is prototypically accurate. Given that the pictures I was looking at weren't close enough to see the data in question, that still leaves me stuck.
I was trying to read the data right of the car. Unfortunately, some of the printing is a little bit blurry for some reason. (I have occasionally run into an Athearn car with lousy printing.)
I did find and order four more of that same type of car (different road names though). I am hoping that I maybe can read the needed data off those cars, but as already mentioned, any help would be welcomed.
FRRYKid,
Is that the 54ft 3-bay covered hopper car, from the Frank Simmons collection?
I sent a friend of mine in the UK, a Union Pacific one seven days ago and the lettering was crisp. He hasn't receieved it yet, when He does, I can ask Him. I also have a couple from the Frank Simmons collection, but put away, I'll check when I can. As far as I know, the Frank Simmons collections were very accurate.
Take Care!
Frank
The pictures that I referenced come from here: http://railcarphotos.com/Search.php?SearchReportingMark=NP&SearchLowerNumber=76400&SearchUpperNumber=76500&Search=Search
In further looking at my bookmarks for picture archives, I found a few more NP hopper pictures, but unfortunately, they aren't close enough to read the info I am looking for either.
I registered on that site, so I can blow up the pic's and have a big magnifier that when viewed through it, it's like standing next to the car.....and I still can't read it. LOL. Maybe If I had a brand new one, to look at. If I can find anything, I'll post here.
Good Luck IN Your hunt!
I have some ACFX 3-bay covered hoppers leased to Cargill, Lincoln Grain and others. They are smooth side, but I believe the info should be the same. I will try to type it exactly how it is on the car.
All the info is in caps:
Left side,3rd panel:
CAUTION:
DOORS MUST BE CLOSED
TIGHT AND LOCKED BEFORE
CAR IS MOVED
Btm bar left side of car and center:
NOTE THIS CAR HAS THREE COMPARTMENTS
center:
CAUTION:OPEN HATCH BEFORE
UNLOADING COMPARTMENT
right side, 8th panel:
CLEAN INSIDE GROOVES AND TOP
OF SLIDE DOORS BEFORE CLOSING
DOORS MUST BE CLOSED TIGHT AND
LOCKED BEFORE CAR IS MOVED
same 8th panel, but to the right of above and a little higher:
ECF LINING APPLIED 4-63 A.P.I.CO.
DO NOT USE STEAM BOILING WATER
OR SHARP OBJECTS TO CLEAN
ENTER CAR WITH SOFT SOLED SHOES
All the above, is without the double line space.
Pretty sure the above info will be on all the covered grain hoppers.
Hope That Helps.
Take care!
I have done a lot of decals for Pullman-Standard covered hoppers. I would say that panel 7 almost certainly says:
"CLEAN INSIDE GROVES AND TOPOF SLIDE DOOR BEFORE CLOSING".
Panel 12 is the builder's plate which probably says something like this in centered text"
"PS 2-CDon this row there is a wide arrow pointing downBUILT BYPULLMAN STANDARDBUTLER, PALOT 4671" (this last line would vary obivously according to the car).
Panel 14 is probably the lube data which may look like this centered:
"LUB BUT 9-7-70P-S".
This would indicate the abrviation for the lube location and then the date which probably differs for the NP cars you are looking at.
Panel 11 does have me stumped. In this area on most of the coop elevator cars there would be a reference to the coop that leased the car. NP probably did not lease there cars. It might be a reference to the type of brake shoes on the car (ex. "WABCOPAC 1'COBRA SHOES") or the build date (ex. BLT 9-67). However, usually this information was in the far right panel.
Omaha53 I have done a lot of decals for Pullman-Standard covered hoppers. I would say that panel 7 almost certainly says: "CLEAN INSIDE GROVES AND TOPOF SLIDE DOOR BEFORE CLOSING". Panel 12 is the builder's plate which probably says something like this in centered text" "PS 2-CDon this row there is a wide arrow pointing downBUILT BYPULLMAN STANDARDBUTLER, PALOT 4671" (this last line would vary obivously according to the car). Panel 14 is probably the lube data which may look like this centered: "LUB BUT 9-7-70P-S". This would indicate the abrviation for the lube location and then the date which probably differs for the NP cars you are looking at. Panel 11 does have me stumped. In this area on most of the coop elevator cars there would be a reference to the coop that leased the car. NP probably did not lease there cars. It might be a reference to the type of brake shoes on the car (ex. "WABCOPAC 1'COBRA SHOES") or the build date (ex. BLT 9-67). However, usually this information was in the far right panel.
In further examination, I think this seems to be consistent with what is on the car and something to use as a base my lettering.
Panel 11 looks to be something like "AUTO BRAKE ADJ.", which would be consistent with what was already mentioned.
The only other thing that I am wondering is how often were these cars lubed, so that I can get the date right on my decals.
FRRYKid...how often were these cars lubed, so that I can get the date right on my decals.
If you're modeling the consolidated stencil era, this information would most likely be on that stencil, and any other previous reference to it on the car would be painted out. You could then depend on the applicable decals to provide the information, and in HO it's virtually unreadable on them even under magnification. Many modern roller bearings are sealed and do not receive such attention, and that portion of the stencil reads "LUB NO" so no date is required.
Rob Spangler
wp8thsub If you're modeling the consolidated stencil era...
I do model that era (ACI labels too) and I had completely forgotten about that. I guess with that answer, that solves all the problems I had. I again thank the forums for all the assistance that has been provided.