Nice homework on the NYC!!
After much discussion between freight car historians at the New York Central System Historical Society, we are adding the black background to the NYC oval logo on our Big Four-NYC hoppers. We are also adding the S- prefix to the road numbers. The meaning of the S- is the subject of some debate. The leading theory is that it was a signal to NYC System freight agents that despite the CCC&StL (or MC, T&OC, B&A, etc.) reporting marks, the car is part of the greater New York Central System and need not be sent "home" when empty when the car is already on another System line or be accounted for as a foreign car rental. The competing theory is that the S- is a signal to car shop crews regarding limits on the car's repair budget. Check out the revised artwork here:
http://www.bluford-shops.com/bluford_93_031.htmPlease tone down the BCR!!!
Thanks!
Dan