I m trying to set a prototypical operating scheme pattern for the period of the mid to late 1970s. This would also include when they actually started painting cabooses into the Mandarin orange and white scheme and which ones were painted that way. Is there a place on the forum that lists the repainting dates of the 1200 series International Car Company (ICC) cabooses? More specifically caboose SLSF 1250 as to when it was painted back into what I would assume Mandarin orange and white? Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give.
Bob, The earliest photograph of a Mandarin orange and white caboose I have seen is the SLSF 1718 in 11/1975, though I take the date with the grain of salt. The photograph is by Ed Sealy, Jr. in the book Cabins, Crummies and Hacks on page 20. A more accurate date is a photograph on this site by Robert Tribble taken on 5/10/1976, of SLSF 1724. I have never put together a date of repainting roster because I have very few actual repainting dates; however, I can narrow down within a few months when most were repainted. From what I have seen the repainting of the 1200s into Mandarin orange and white began in the spring of 1977, the 1st one I saw was the SLSF 1204 in June 1977. As for the SLSF 1250, the notes I have say it was repainted from red with white lettering and black underframe into Mandarin orange and white in July 1978. As for what was repainted, I have kept track of that as well as BN renumbering and retirement dates. This thread seems to be the appropriate place to post that information. The SLSF 1726-1735 and SLSF 1776 lists are not completed yet, I will post them when they are done. Roger R. Taylor Raytown, MO
Roger, thanks for posting this. I already knew SLSF 1714 was in Lamar, MO but I did not know it never made into Mandarin orange and white. By the way, I have never seen photographs of it in service with the Frisco. Would you or any one else know of any? Another interesting thing is caboose SLSF 1725 is still going today. So that means that one car that was built 57 years ago as a PS-1 40' box car is still roaming the rails. Ethan
Roger and All: Thanks for the posting. There are several of us on the forum including Jim Senese, Rick McClellan, myself and others who are narrowing a focus to a certain time period or point in time. This can be fun, frustrating, challenging, and numerous other things all at the same time. When a manufacturer announces a new item, I immediately ask myself if fits my era and I am sure the others do also. In the case of the cabooses, I tried unsuccessfully to sell my red, white and black caboose since I have chosen to model mid to late 1980. Having helped Atlas with the General Electric (GE) U30B project and getting the "XR" locomotive produced, of course I had to have one. The thought crossed my mind the other day about back dating some of my operating sessions to the 1976-1977 time period to include using those two models. As most of you know, Rick does this, but with two dramatically different periods. If I backdate I will need to be careful as to when to try and include as much of my 1980 rolling stock and locomotives as I possibly can. For example, I know that the Walthers ballast hoppers will have to go as they did not arrive until 1980. Anyway, you answered my question and now I will need to take stock of my equipment and pick a second date. If anyone else would like to try this, even for fun, at the very least it serves to teach a lesson as to when equipment was acquired and/or retired.
Interesting query, Bob. Frankly, while my memory of the Frisco's twilight is sketchy. I believe that the first time I saw any Mandarin orange and white caboose in Chaffee was one of the Consolidated mechanical Shops (CMS) homebuilt bay-window jobs in 1980. Surely others came through town before then, but seeing a caboose in Mandarin orange and white made a very vivid impression on this young memory. Dates notwithstanding, it makes me wonder if a higher percentage of Mandarin orange and white cabooses would have appeared on some divisions, but not always on others? Were cabooses still assigned to specific crews at that time? The photographic evidence of the bicentennial cabooses, among others, seems to say "no". As someone who has tried or is trying to pin down a specific time in Friscoland, down to getting the sand domes and bell placement write on a 4-6-2, I applaud your efforts to get things as close as possible! Looking forward to what others can contribute toward narrowing things down. Best Regards,
Ethan, I do have one photograph of the caboose SLSF 1714 taken at Thayer, MO on 6/30/1979. As for the caboose SLSF 1724 it is the last original Frisco caboose in service, today it is located in Spokane, WA. Roger
