Trainworks Crushes MBK with UPS trailers, 4427 grain hoppers, & new 4 bays

[basementcalling]

The red 'nose' - which features a thick red stripe around the bottom and sides both front and back, as well as the top in the back - is an earlier paint scheme, appropriate starting around 1971. 

The red 'stripe' scheme, featuring a more understated stripe on each vertical corner only, is later and dates to approximately 1977, and is generally more appropriate to the '80s and early '90s.

If you're trying to be prototypical and your era isn't later than 1976 then don't buy the 'stripe'.  If your era isn't earlier than 1985 or so then don't buy the 'nose' unless it's going to be that last straggler among many others that are newer or repainted.  If your era covers in between then a mix is appropriate.

That's based on the photos in my collection that I've tagged so far.  Others might have more specific knowledge.

And if era is modern or post 2000 are the concupicity striped models appropriate, or are they ancient 20th century loads too?

[jagged ben]

And if era is modern or post 2000 are the concupicity striped models appropriate, or are they ancient 20th century loads too?

In as much as the drop frame vans became much less common after the 90s, I believe they too are 'ancient'.   

But I do believe there are still some out there, so one or two mixed in with a bunch of, say, the recently announced offerings from Trainworx, wouldn't be a violation of the time-space continuum. 

[cfritschle]

Phil

UPS generally did not apply the conspicuity stripes until a year or so before they were required to.  The retrofit requirement date for trailers built after before December 1, 1993 was June 1, 2001.

However, the color stripes on the noses of the trailers disappeared well before the conspicuity stripes were required, so this would be the trailers appropriate for the 1990s:

UPOZ-80862
UPSZ-86280
UPSZ-86414
UPSZ-86459
UPSZ-86943

However, I am not seeing this group of trailers listed on MBK's website.  But they do show as "In stock" at Trainworx.  http://www.train-worx.com/40parcel.htm

Carter

Edit:  There should be one more road number for the "plain" 40-foot drop-frame.  Trainworx part no. 40144-43

MBK is now showing they have the "1990s" trailers in stock, 40144-44 through 40144-48.

Carter

Edit:  I cannot believe I typed after December 1, 1993 instead of before.  I hope everyone was able to figure out the error in my message. 

[conrail98]

MBK is now showing they have the "1990s" trailers in stock, 40144-44 through 40144-48.

Carter

And I bought a bunch of 'em up. May sell off the more modern ones I got last week,

Phil