Union Pacific "Challenger" Passenger Cars

[Anonymous]

I am modeling a couple of the Union Pacific's "Challenger" passenger cars but I do not know which of the usual RR paints to use. I have never seen a color photo of one (there probably isn't one out there!). I have read a time or two to use coach green, but there are variences in this color among manufacturers. Besides, the B&W photoes of these cars make the green color cars appear to be fairly dark.....darker than a typical coach green.

Thanks!
Tim in MI

[Anonymous]

IHC has some cars for you.

[Anonymous]

I don't think UP cars were ever green.......... oh, you must mean heavy weights. IHC, Spectrum, or Branchline Trains will do fine.

[Sperandeo]

Hi Tim,

It seems to be little known, but the UP's "Challenger" cars, both lightweights and heavyweights, were originally painted in the railroad's standard coach or olive green. They had the standard Dulux Gold road name and number lettering, and a red script train name below the windows in the center of the car. This scheme is shown (albeit in black and white) in a photo we published in the prototype drawing article "Challenger chair cars" in the July 2000 "Model Railroader." Most if not all of the lightweight "Challenger" cars were repainted yellow in early 1947, when they were reassigned to support the beginning of daily "Streamliner" service to the west coast. The "Challenger" trains came back in the early 1950s, but by then all UP passenger cars were being painted yellow.

So long,

Andy

[Anonymous]

Tim in Mi

WELCOME ABOARD!

Chuck in Mi

[Anonymous]

Well said Andy!