I picked up a new in the box Accurail 40' ARR box car at a train show. It was old - yellow box, stock #3202, and plastic pins for mounting the trucks! I have been upgrading it with 2-56 screws for the coupler/truck mounting, I-M 33" metal wheels and new brake gear).
My question is what color is the trucks and underbody for this car(C&O 15347)? It is oxide red, with the 'C&O for Progress' logo on the right panel. It has a build date of 12-49 and a repack date of 3-54. I am hoping some of the C&O experts can give me some direction here...
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Here is an update on this project. I did some web site searches of I-M and Kadee 40' box cars. I think I am going to get as close as I can without major modification of this kit. The Accurail kit appears to be an AAR 1937 10'6" interior height car.
The car got black trucks and underbody this evening. I am just waiting for a new bulk pack of I-M 33" wheels in the mail(tracking estimates Saturday or Monday delivery).
This has been enjoyable research/upgrading/painting of a $5 train show purchase - Photo to follow when I get some wheels under it!
All that work and research AND a new profile pic! Now I'll know you when I see you at train shows, Jim. I've been looking for the guy in your prior photo
Dave Nelson
I've got a copy of David H. Hickcox's "Chesapeake and Ohio Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment".
On first look through, all C&O boxcars have "dirt/rust" colored trucks. At least, in the photos.
However.
On page 26 there are two photos of freshly painted LATE scheme C&O-for-progress 40' boxcars. They have black trucks. In 1969. (Kind of difficult to turn up color photos of freshly painted generic C&O boxcars from the olden days, you know)
Now, over time, there's been a tendency for railroads to simplify their paint schemes--saving money and all. So I seriously doubt that C&O had a sudden fit and only decided to do black trucks in later years.
So, one more brick in the wall of black trucks.
As a slightly related note, Great Northern used to paint, oh back in the '40's and early '50's, their boxcars mineral (boxcar) red. Then in 1956, GN decided that Vermilion (bright) red was the way to go. Except that they kept the trucks and underframe in mineral red. Go figure.
If I was guessing, which I am, I would guess that Vermilion paint cost more than mineral red. And, since no one would see the underframe, why spend extra money on the paint. Trucks? Oh, you can see them, for sure. For about a month, until they get dirty.
Ed
Jim don't know if you know of the site fallen flags ,they have a lot of photos of almost all RR in the us.
JC,
I looked there, RR Picture Archive, and Railcar Photos site, Most of the stuff on these site are too new.
The 'good news' is that my bulk pack of I-M 33" wheels was just delivered by the USPS. It's 17 degrees outside(Minnesota), and I have Pollyscale 'oily black', 'weathered black' and 100 wheel sets - Sounds like like a nice quiet evening ahead of me!
fallen flags has older photos looked there and there was a 1966 photo of the car in question.
Dave,
That old picture was at least 15 years old(IBM work photo). As you can see, I am much happier in my 'retirement' Photo!