L-L BN 52’ 6” mill gondola

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me when these gons were painted from CB&Q colors to BN green?

Thanks,
Ted

[Anonymous]

Ted--

The BN merger took place in March 1970, and the new company started to repaint freight equipment in the new colors and logo soon thereafter. But the repainting took many years to accomplish, and I'm sure many of the gons you are interested in were retired or wrecked before repainting. The constituent roads (CB&Q, GN, NP and SP&S) started to paint or repaint some items of equipment in Cascade Green around 1968 on an experimental basis in anticipation of the merger.

A rebuilt or repainted date on these gons of 4-70 or thereafter would be typical.

--John

[Anonymous]

Is the internet great or what? A question that would have taken hours of research answered in an hour! [:D] Thanks for the reply fiverings. The model in question has a ‘TR date’ of 3-71 in the consolidated stencil- would that be the rebuild/repaint date?

[Anonymous]

Ted--

In those days it could have been rebuild date, reweigh date or repaint date. My sources say "TR" was the indication the work was done at the ex-Northern Pacific shops at Brainerd, MN.

And you're right, this internet stuff is great!

--John

[Anonymous]

Thanks again, John. I've got four of these models coming in the mail now. Now I just have to find some pictures of them to use as a weathering guide.

[Anonymous]

Hey, Ted. I couldn't find any shots of these cars on the Fallen Flags web site. Maybe one of the other guys will have a link to another site. There are photos of these cars in the Morning Sun "Color Guide to BN Freight and Passenger Equipment", though.

Gons took a beating from shippers, so don't be bashful about weathering--particularly the floors and inner sidewalls and ends.

I have 3 of these BN L-L models myself. You'll be pleased with yours when you get them.

--John

[Anonymous]

Ha! I tried the Fallen Flags site too! It's the first place I go to look for pictures. A great site. I really need to get over there and make a donation.