On Frisco's wood cabooses, the roofs were originally covered with mule hide. The only color photograph I have seen where the roof is visible is in the book Frisco / Katy Color Guide to Freight Equipment by Nicholas John Molo, page 122. The caboose is a 1946 version, with the photograph being taken in 1963. Is this actually mule hide, a type of leather? Or is it perhaps a slang term for some type of canvas or tar paper? What was the original color of it? The roof is close to the same color as the siding and roof walk paint color, but appears to have a slight blue or purple tint to it. Of course, I am sure that the color of the mule hide has changed with 17 years of exposure to the elements, and the photograph itself is now 48 old too. So it really does not help me determine the original color with any certainty. Thanks for your help!
Mule-Hide Products is a company that produces roofing materials. Please see the following link. https://www.mulehide.com/en-us/
Interesting! I am not sure if any of their current products are the same as what Frisco used in the 1940s, but it is interesting that the company has survived. Albeit with what appears to be a corporate buy-out in 1985. So this still brings questions to my mind. Take a look at the following link. http://www.flickr.com/photos/asbestos_pix/3608847759/ Was this an old asphalt or asbestos cement that was spread over the roof? Or was it a tarpaper type of covering? Perhaps an asbestos or cement panel that would explain the use of battens every so often? Right now, I am suspecting that is what was used. I am curious of the details, would like to find something comparable for my caboose project. Thank you!
The "Mule-hide" used was more than likely a roll-roofing product that is used to cover large relatively flat surfaces. The roof of a caboose would be a good candidate. It looks like what the company offers today is much more modern stuff than the old cloth or paper roll soaked in asphalt.
