Author Topic: EL 70-ton hopper question  (Read 1599 times)

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Dave V

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EL 70-ton hopper question
« on: September 19, 2011, 07:25:06 PM »
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So I just got a pair of the Bluford Erie Lackawanna 70-ton hopper cars.  They're beautiful!  However, looking at proto photos of this class, I note that some have the end-most ribs on each side painted yellow, while others don't.  I thought maybe it denoted ore service or something, but that doesn't pan out in the pictures.  Were they unit train indications (like the Pennsy yellow ball)?  What do they mean, and which cars had them versus which cars didn't?  Thanks!!!

SAH

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Re: EL 70-ton hopper question
« Reply #1 on: September 19, 2011, 08:55:28 PM »
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From Larry DeYoung's EL Color Guide to Frt & Pass Equip:

"The later two orders came painted with yellow vertical stripes coincident with the end-most posts, reportedly to signify assignment to iron ore service, although I have never seen written confirmation of this, and often saw the cars far from ore service even during the ore shipping season (when the Great Lakes were open to navigation, generally April through October)."

Larry is quite the EL authority, so if he has questions about the significance of the yellow stripe . . . . .
Steve Holzheimer
Lakewood, OH
Modeling the AC&Y Spur 4 Serving the Tire Industry

Bluford Craig

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Re: EL 70-ton hopper question
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2011, 12:38:03 PM »
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So I just got a pair of the Bluford Erie Lackawanna 70-ton hopper cars.  They're beautiful!  However, looking at proto photos of this class, I note that some have the end-most ribs on each side painted yellow, while others don't.  I thought maybe it denoted ore service or something, but that doesn't pan out in the pictures.  Were they unit train indications (like the Pennsy yellow ball)?  What do they mean, and which cars had them versus which cars didn't?  Thanks!!!
EL 32000-32499 were delivered in 1965 without the yellow ribs. EL 32500-32749 delivered in 1966 and EL 33000-33249 (two years after that) were delivered with the yellow ribs. I'm sure we'll do the yellow rib version down the road...

Craig
www.bluford-shops.com

Dave V

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Re: EL 70-ton hopper question
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2011, 02:05:23 PM »
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Thanks, guys!  Craig, that would be awesome.

One option for you is a CR paint-out.  The car would have fresh individual black patches over each of the letters in ERIE LACKAWANNA and then CR reporting marks.  It would require two shades of back (faded for the hopper).  Bonus if you add the yellow ribs!

I've seen a few of those in CR books.

Bluford Craig

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Re: EL 70-ton hopper question
« Reply #4 on: September 20, 2011, 03:08:07 PM »
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Thanks, guys!  Craig, that would be awesome.

One option for you is a CR paint-out.  The car would have fresh individual black patches over each of the letters in ERIE LACKAWANNA and then CR reporting marks.  It would require two shades of back (faded for the hopper).  Bonus if you add the yellow ribs!

I've seen a few of those in CR books.
Yeah, I just came across one too.

Craig


Bluford Craig

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Re: EL 70-ton hopper question
« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2011, 06:07:20 AM »
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JDouglasFisher

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Re: EL 70-ton hopper question
« Reply #7 on: September 21, 2011, 12:23:55 PM »
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Dave,

Check your website email, as I tried to pm you some info, but the message board here said your pm box is full..

Joe.

Dave V

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Re: EL 70-ton hopper question
« Reply #8 on: September 21, 2011, 01:07:01 PM »
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Dave,

Check your website email, as I tried to pm you some info, but the message board here said your pm box is full..

Joe.

Will check tonight, thanks!  That full PM box thing has hit others too.  Don't remember what the fix was if any.