Caboose colors for NYC

[Anonymous]

I am trying to find out two things. First, did the New York Central, (1940s-1960s) use any high visibility, 3 window cabooses? Also does anyone know what the color scheme was for the time period mentioned above? All I can seem to locate is the NYC Jade Green scheme, but I thought there was black and possibly a red/PRR Tuscan color. If anyone could let me know paint & lettering format, I'd appreciate it.

[mike33469]

50% boxcar red and 50% roof brown

[rogerhensley]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willist

50% boxcar red and 50% roof brown

That's probably pretty close. No Tuscan and if there was a black, I'm not aware of it. It would have to have been a specialty case. If you do a black, you better have photos to back it up. :-) :-)

PS - That color quote sounds like it came from Mont Switzer's article in the April 1988 Mainline Modeler. In that, Mont mentions a black roof color. :-)

Let me point out that when you ask about a NYC caboose, you are also including the Big Four, Michigan Central and several other roads that went into the New York Central System. There were variations in cabs and it depended where they came from as to the style and configuration.

Work from a photo if you can find one close to what you want.

[MRTerry]

The Morning Sun NYC color guide has quite a few very good photos of NYC cabooses in brown, jade green, and even some odd schemes. The red and gray Pacemaker cars are probably the best-know of the oddities. The change from brown to green for new cars and repaints was right around 1960, but I don't remember the exact year. We have photos of brown cars taken in the 1960s, though.
Terry

[Hudsonmike]

Hi Sargent Clark;
The high visibility caboose in eastern NY. They would chop off
about a foot an 1/2 off of the capola which made it 13feet an 6 an7/8 hight.
because they couldn't clear the low bridges we have on the hudson and most of the lines around here. Although NYC. height limit was 15 foot 3 inches .
I guess this gave a brakeman enought room if lhe got caught up there to lay down.
MRR just had an article about in the April Issue about the 1900 series
three window caboose and guess what it's a wood caboose an it's painted brown .
Caboose number 19537.
It is a good article so try to get a hold of the April issue.
Mike

[Anonymous]

Thanks to all that have responded. I tried looking for different websites that showed the various colors and possible designs. Unfortuanately, my web-browser came up with so many hits, I thought this would be quicker. I was right. Anyone with any NYC website info, besides the HS info, would be a blessing. As for the April MR, I feel pretty humbled, considering I am a subscriber and didn't even think to look there. Oh well, if we can't laugh at ourselves, someone will do it for us. Thanks again and keep the answers coming.

[rogerhensley]

There is quite a but of Big Four/NYC info on my Railroads of Madison County at:
http://madisonrails.railfan.net/ and I have a NYC web site links page at:
http://madisonrails.railfan.net/nyc_links.html

Best I can do for you.

Oops! Not true. I have a couple caboose drawings of Big Four/NYC cabs on the site. You can tell a Big Four cab from a regular NYC cab because of the tall cupola with some of them extending over the side of the cab body. (The original wide vision caboose??)