I've got a book on the history of billboard cars, and in a nutshell the reason for their banning by the ICC in 1937 went something like this...
First off, those cars weren't owned by the railroads, they were owned by leasing companies who rented them to various shippers. So, when they were empty the 'roads couldn't use them to ship other cargoes, they had to be returned empty to the shippers. I'm sure the 'roads were paid for the return trips, they just didn't make as much money as they would have liked.
Second, it lead to some awkward situations. Imagine a car painted for "Swifts Meats" sitting in a freight consist in front of an Armour meat packing plant. And that was just one example, there were plenty of others. Who wants the competition's cars sitting in front of their facility?
Anyway, the ICC was prevailed upon to ban billboard cars by various parties, and so it went. There was one exception, as long as the cars stayed on "home rails" and weren't handed off to other railroads it was OK, hence todays "Tropicana" trains, they never leave CSX property.
The book is called "Billboard Refrigerator Cars," published by Signature Press.
www.signaturepress.com
It wasn't cheap, I've had it since 2008 and if memory serves I think I paid $60 for it. It was worth it, to me anyway, it's a well-illustrated fascinating study.
I remember learning many years ago about the restriction against advertising and have always wondered WHY?
_____________
"A stranger's just a friend you ain't met yet." --- Dave Gardner
That's a very good point Zardoz! I for one would love to see a return of "billboard" cars in any form. They were a very colorful aspect of old-time railroading, sorely missed by many.
Take a trip to a local hobby shop and see how many are reproduced in all gauges.
Flintlock76 Yeah, the lousy taggers find those big, plain freight car sides an irresistable "canvas." You should see some of the "Tropicana" cars coming though Richmond VA. Disgusting!
Yeah, the lousy taggers find those big, plain freight car sides an irresistable "canvas."
You should see some of the "Tropicana" cars coming though Richmond VA. Disgusting!
zardozAn entire train without graffiti - amazing.
Newly built cars look that way, and it is a refreshing change. That is how they left the builder not long before. I'm sure the vandals are just waiting for the first opportunity. As long as the unit trains just run between a loading loop and a similarly limited access unloading facility, they will stay cleaner longer. But of course general dirt and grime would impair the appearance within a couple of years anyway.
SD70Dude https://www.flickr.com/photos/wras23/25658270097
An entire train without graffiti - amazing.
SD70Dude http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/private/PHLX_112.JPG
How nice to see a photo bereft of graffiti.
Thank You.
So far I can only recall seeing entire unit trains of them, although I am sure some end up in loose-car service.
P&H is not the only grain company to have bought their own trainsets recently, so have Louis Dreyfus and GrainsConnect, and both CN and CP have placed large orders for the same type of car, all of which are being constructed by National Steel Car in Hamilton, Ontario.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wras23/25658270097
https://www.steelcar.com/products/covered-hopper
Greetings from Alberta
-an Articulate Malcontent
Pretty exotic logo...I wonder whether these will ever float through here so I can see one for myself!
Carl
Railroader Emeritus (practiced railroading for 46 years--and in 2010 I finally got it right!)
CAACSCOCOM--I don't want to behave improperly, so I just won't behave at all. (SM)
They also had a Great Lakes fleet at one time.
Dude, thanks for the pictures. I am sure that all of the older heads here see that the reporting mark ends in an "X," which indicates that the owner is not a railroad.
Johnny
Believe it or not, there were FOUR P&H's at one time!
In order...
The Pelham & Havana in Georgia, long abandoned.
The Pemberton & Hightstown in New Jersey, became part of the Pennsylvania & Atlantic.
The Peoria & Hannibal, became part of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy.
The Peterboro & Hillsboro, became part of the Boston & Maine.
These were 19th Century 'roads, mind you, so if you see anything with "P&H" markings on it nowadays rest assured it ain't any of the above.
You beat me to it John. Here's a locomotive and car, each bearing their very distinctive logo:
https://www.thedieselshop.us/P&H%20Grain.HTML
http://www.trainweb.org/oldtimetrains/photos/private/PHLX_112.JPG
P&H is a major grain company, and has grain hoppers with their logo. Likely some of the elevators may have a captive locomotive, but often the grain companies just lease the locomotive and they are not painted for the company.
Is there a railroad called this?
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