While attending "Galesburg Railroad Days" this past weekend, I spotted this Frisco covered hopper still in its original paint scheme. Please excuse the poor quality as it was a hand held picture taken at dusk. --Rich
Rich, thanks for sharing. Do you or anyone else know if this was one of the last batch of cars ordered by the Frisco with SL-SF reporting marks but painted in BN green in anticipation of the pending merger and eventual (!) repainting Best Regards,
Chris-According to Molo's Frisco/Katy Color Guide to Freight Equipment, the 86500-86799 series were the last order of covered hoppers prior to the merger. I haven't seen any evidence that any other series of freight cars were painted Cascade Green in anticipation of the merger with BN. --Rich
Those are "Scotchlite" or like reflective material which have been added for increased grade-crossing visibility. The requirement is a relatively recent regulation.
Another car from this order #86729 showed up at Ft.Smith at the OK Foods mill near where the tracks used to curve into Fort Smith Union Station. #86729 dosen't have the new frame stripes. Here is a picture taken by my friend Barry Kincy. I do have more detail shots of this car. My computer won't load them right now though. Ship it on the Frisco!!! Murphy Jenkins
Here's a link to more of the same order. http://www.frisco.org/vb/showthread.php?3806-Guess-what-I-saw-in-Minot-ND-this-morning!
Bob, these are safety stripes, darker colored cars are hard to see at night. During my days as a conductor and engineer, I heard of and experienced many an automobile running into the side of my train. The 2 main factors were a cross buck only crossing (NO LIGHTS) and a dark painted railcar, plus add in graffiti over the safety reflective stripes, and you have a perfect recipe for disaster!!! I hope this answered your question!!! Keep shipping FRISCO
A grain extra just went east towards Lindenwood with one green hopper lettered SLSF. Shame on me for no camera and for being too excited to note the number, but I just had to share this! George "I promise next time the camera will be around my neck and a notepad will be handy" Nelson
