Shortline boxcar rush

[Rich Reinhart]

What was the time period that the shortlines cashed in on the nice per diem boxcar rates with their own cars? I know it was the late 70`s but I came remember how long it lasted. I have close to 2 dozen 50 footers in shortline paint jobs. I think I`m in the ballpark era of 1982 to 84.

[Brakie]

That colorful Incentive Per Diem short line boxcar era started in the early '70s and ended in the early 80's.


I favor this era above all others..It was a colorful time on the American railroads and a step away from the usual sea of boxcar Red and brown boxcars.

Seems one couldn't swing a bat in any yard without hitting  IPD boxcars.

[Blazeman]

Colorful to be sure and before our street artists, also known as taggers were inspired to use them as canvasses.

On a similar note, the South Street Bridge reopened Saturday in Phila. For those not familar, it runs from Franklin Field over the Amtrak ROW near 30th Street Station, the Schuylkill Exp (I 76), the Schuylkill River and the CSX (former B&O ROW) line that in decades past was just south of the B&O station at Chestnut. Sunday morning, the Phila police reported they intercepted a gang intent on tagging the brand new structure. They were dispersed and pursued on foot. Unfortunately, none were struck by cars on the highway or run over by Amtrak. Of course, if that happened, the victim's family would have sued the city for depriving their relative of the right to express himself.

I'm sure it won't be too long before the vermin with rattle cans get to make their marks on this structure.

Sorry for the drift away from the theme.

[Mark5]

I favor this era above all others..It was a colorful time on the American railroads and a step away from the usual sea of boxcar Red and brown boxcars.

The late 60s into the 70s was also very colorful. Lots of railroads such as IC, GN, BN, N&W (Blue!), NYC and PC Green, D&RGW, New Haven, and many others were painting their various eye catching colors.

[Rich Reinhart]

Colorful to be sure and before our street artists, also known as taggers were inspired to use them as canvasses.

On a similar note, the South Street Bridge reopened Saturday in Phila. For those not familar, it runs from Franklin Field over the Amtrak ROW near 30th Street Station, the Schuylkill Exp (I 76), the Schuylkill River and the CSX (former B&O ROW) line that in decades past was just south of the B&O station at Chestnut. Sunday morning, the Phila police reported they intercepted a gang intent on tagging the brand new structure. They were dispersed and pursued on foot. Unfortunately, none were struck by cars on the highway or run over by Amtrak. Of course, if that happened, the victim's family would have sued the city for depriving their relative of the right to express himself.

I'm sure it won't be too long before the vermin with rattle cans get to make their marks on this structure.

From the time I saw that the bridge re opened on Action News I was wondering how long it would take for all that graphitti crap to be all over it..

Sorry for the drift away from the theme.

[Brakie]

The late 60s into the 70s was also very colorful. Lots of railroads such as IC, GN, BN, N&W (Blue!), NYC and PC Green, D&RGW, New Haven, and many others were painting their various eye catching colors.

Indeed but,those where exceptions-remember N&W still had hundreds of brown boxcars as did the other roads you mention.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

You know... this is a great point. Boxcars were really colorful before taggers. They had interesting graphics, slogans and signage. It wasn't until they started getting monotone that taggers started hitting them. I wonder if the blandness called out for street artists to fill the void.

[Mark5]

Indeed but,those where exceptions-remember N&W still had hundreds of brown boxcars as did the other roads you mention.

Yes, but when I watched the run-throughs on the pokey, there was plenty of color along with of course the brown cars, which were also around in the 70s.