Caboose SLSF 1288 in Ash Grove, MO in the summer of 2013. The lower photograph image is from January 30, 2015. Opened the windows for the first time in 30 years or so!
So today I started sanding some paint from caboose SLSF 1288 in hopes of revealing some of the old paint stencils and logos. I sanded the layers and have found out that 1288 wore three (3) different paint jobs. First she was freight car red. Second she was caboose red, that was a big surprise. And last, she was Mandarin orange and white. I sanded and revealed all the different layers. I did that in more than one spot to confirm the findings. I pulled out the most recent "Ship it on the Frisco" logo that was applied in the second paint job. It has the letter "c" in Frisco in the block style font which is consistent to repaints at the Frisco paint shops. I always assumed caboose SLSF 1288 was freight car red, and then Mandarin orange and white. I had no idea it was ever "caboose red". I will post some photographs later when the sun is in the right spot.
It is fun sanding down the paint and revealing the graphics and logos. In the top photograph you can see the coonskin and part of the "ship it" logo. Bottom image shows from center to outer edge the different colors of paint applied over the years.
In the last photograph above, the center shows the paint that was applied at the factory. It was PPG "car hide hot spray" and was an epoxy paint in freight car red color. It was sprayed on hot and eliminated the use of primer. Next is the caboose red paint, then you can see a small layer of gray primer. Then the white and Mandarin orange. The last layer is the red paint applied at Ash Grove, MO. Neat. I checked the layers of paint on the body sides, cupola sides, and on one platform end. They all showed the caboose red color. I would love to see a photograph of caboose SLSF 1288 from when she was painted caboose red.
I get so much out of your updates, Paul. Being able to scroll through the thread and see the progress helps convey the amount of time and effort you put into this endeavor. Anyone interested in Frisco, cabooses or railway preservation in general can appreciate what you are doing. Your photographs and descriptions go a long way in helping us understand not only what is involved, but the quality of work you are doing. You should be very proud of the work you are doing. It is a big job for a group, let alone an individual. When you get a free hand, give yourself a pat on the back!
I have not said much, mostly just standing around with my mouth open. Sometimes an ooo-ahhh noise is uttered. Outstanding work! Enjoy watching the progress.
Today was the last work day on the cabooses until spring. Had a little fun and decided to sand away the red paint that caboose SLSF 1288 received at Ash Grove, MO to see what we could find hiding underneath. I love it.
Say Paul, if you blast away in the very upper left hand corner on either side there is a repaint date. If you see it, could you let me know what the date was? Some that paint has not see daylight since 1980, amazing it is still in good condition! Roger
Hi Roger, I found it. There are three small lines of data. First line in one inch letters is "SA". Second line in one inch letters "SF - 8 - 79". Third line in half inch letters is "JAN". I have a photograph of her right out of the paint shop and you can see the lines of data but they are not readable. However, they do line up with the ones in the image below.
Roger, It was a huge surprise to me that caboose SLSF 1288 was painted caboose red at one time,. I have a photograph of her in freight car red in 1976, and we know she was painted Mandarin orange and white in 1979. So it had to be painted caboose red sometime in between these dates. When did the cabooses start getting painted Mandarin orange and white? Also, I have never seen an image of a caboose red paint job on any caboose SLSF 1275-1292. Have you ever seen one? Thanks.
Man you right on top of things. Hate to lose that little piece of trivia to history. Interesting it had three (3) paint jobs in 11 years, Frisco sure liked keeping them sharp! Roger
Yeah Roger, I love that we found the paint date. I try to photograph document all the little details so when we repaint her she will be spot on. What is the purpose or reason for the black square with the yellow ball emblem, to the right of the cleaned, oiled, tested and serviced (COTS) data plates?
It signifies that the wheels and trucks have been inspected for defects and carbon content. The story I was told was in the mid-1970s the railroads got hold of some bad steel and had a bunch of derailments so the Fed's made the railroads do a stress tests on them. They are always in the same place, lower right side above the the trucks on both sides. If you got one, she was good to go. Roger
From what I understood, depending on the percentage of carbon content the symbol would be a white circle inside a black square, while others would be yellow. Not sure which color was used for the "safe" wheels.
Just wanted to upload a couple images of the 3 window side. Looks nice with all the spray paint removed from the windows, and with the platforms completed. The dented corner pillar on the body, the creased areas on the body side between the 2 windows, and the crease below the 2nd window will be repaired in the next few weeks. Looking forward to spring.
Check this out. The coonskin hiding under the faded old paint has been re painted. Traced over the original for a perfect match. Not much happening on caboose SLSF 1288 recently, but we have been steady on caboose SLSF 1291 putting the interior back together. Photographs will be coming in a week or two. The best weather of the year for caboose repair is upon us now, so were going to stay busy in October and November.
