FGE Paint schemes and timeline

[OldEastRR]

I want to acquire or paint a small batch of Fruit Grower Express reefers (any types) that would be in service circa 1953-54. I have info on car types and build dates but not enough on paint schemes. I've got info that says the car sides are chrome yellow, are reefer yellow; the roofs were boxcar red, were white; the ends were boxcar red; the door hardware was painted black, was painted yellow; and the stripes down the sides --- well, I'm not really sure when or how they were applied, as I have 1954 pictures and 1966 MR drawings with stripes and 1958 pics of 40 footers both plug and swing-door without stripes. And the lettering style ... sheeesh.
So which is it?

[wcfn100]

In case you've not seen it.

http://borhs.org/ModelerMag/BO_Modeler_4_2008_JanFeb_addendum.pdf

edit: Use Bryan's link below, it's much faster.

Should be something of value in there.


Jason

[bbussey]

Also this:

http://s-clmodeler.aclsal.org/currentissue/fgexwoodencars.pdf

And procure this specific InterMountain model, which is an accurate scale replica of the FGE prototype both in model design and deco (other than it rides too high):

#67701  FGE serviced 4/54.  Been issued 4 times, 6 road numbers each for a total of 24 cars.  Later releases are missing the side tackboards.

You won't have to paint/deco at all if your acquire these.

It's also possible to kitbash a number of the other FGE-specific plug door prototypes from the 1950s, from InterMountain, Micro-Trains and Con-Cor components.

[wcfn100]

Also this:

http://s-clmodeler.aclsal.org/currentissue/fgexwoodencars.pdf

That's the exact same thing.    But it downloads much faster from your link.  It's gone form the Keystone Modeler site.  I'm glad the other two have kept it available.

Jason

[jmlaboda]

Also don't ignore Part 2 of this coverage that deals with the 40' steel cars and the railroads that leased them.  I had wondered for a long time if FGE had done the 40' cars as they did with most of the 50', leasing them to various roads.  Its in the 3rd quarter 2013 issue of The Keystone Modeler, starting on page 75.

[OldEastRR]

OK, thanks, that link pretty much covers all the wood reefers and some of the steel, but where do I find out about the 40 plug door RBs? And the 50 foot mech reefers (that were built in 53-54)? And still have no idea when and on what the double stripes along  the side lettering was. Atlas or MTL produced a 40' plug not long ago that HAD the stripes.

[jmlaboda]

Its in the 3rd quarter 2013 issue of The Keystone Modeler, starting on page 75.

I tried to correct the link and apparently it didn't take.  The correct ezine is the Seaboard - Coast Line Modeler, 3rd Quarter, page 75.  The article is entitled Atlas 40’ Insulated Box Car, by Paul Faulk, and it provides a good overview of the 40' Plug Door Insulated cars...
http://s-clmodeler.aclsal.org/currentissue/sclm21.pdf

[bbussey]

OK, thanks, that link pretty much covers all the wood reefers and some of the steel, but where do I find out about the 40 plug door RBs? And the 50 foot mech reefers (that were built in 53-54)? And still have no idea when and on what the double stripes along the side lettering was. Atlas or MTL produced a 40' plug not long ago that HAD the stripes.

Find one of the MTL #69020 mechanical reefers decorated for FGE, as the tooled model is an accurate representation of the FGE prototype and the deco scheme is accurate as well.  They were released as a shrink-wrapped six-pack way back in 1989, but they aren't too difficult to acquire on the secondary market.  Build date is 3/56, service date is 10/61.  Additionally, the 69000-body can be used along with InterMountain ice reefer parts to kitbash the FHIX series of FGE 40' plug door ice reefers.



See the SCLM article Jerry referenced regarding the 40' RB boxcars.  One can be kitbashed similar to the ice reefer above using the sides of a Con-Cor plug door ice reefer body and the roof/ends/floor from an InterMountain 40' boxcar.  I don't remember which style IMRC boxcar at the moment, but reviewing the SCLM article will make it clear which roof/ends are required.

The horizontal stripes were part of the paint scheme used in the late 1960s and early 1970s.  If you're modeling the 1950s, you should avoid the horizontal stripes schemes.

[OldEastRR]

Ok, this is getting very confusing ... no stripes till late '60s? There is a picture on p. 92 of the May '94 RMC from "Post-war Refrigerator Car History - Pt. 2" showing brand-new ACF-built FGE RBNX 81195, an RB, built in April 1955, with stripes. The page before that shows another 1955 RB with stripes and an "RB/DF" markings.
The same article lists FGE 50' mech reefers by Frigidaire -- #s 205,209-45, 340-399 -- in service on April 1953... are the MTL 50-footers based on this prototype?
To complicate things even more. the plan drawing of an "RBNX insulated boxcar" on p. 47 of the Jan '66 MR shows an FGE reefer that is an exact version of the ConCor plug-door 40-ft ice reefer if you removed the roof hatches -- roof, ends, everything except the right number of riveted side seams. With stripes. So what's that all about?
Like they say, everybody can't be right!

[Sokramiketes]

Ok, this is getting very confusing ... no stripes till late '60s? There is a picture on p. 92 of the May '94 RMC from "Post-war Refrigerator Car History - Pt. 2" showing brand-new ACF-built FGE RBNX 81195, an RB, built in April 1955, with stripes. The page before that shows another 1955 RB with stripes and an "RB/DF" markings.

Is it a later photo of a repainted car?  The Blt date wouldn't change with the repaint, but the shop date should. 

[bbussey]

... The same article lists FGE 50' mech reefers by Frigidaire -- #s 205,209-45, 340-399 -- in service on April 1953... are the MTL 50-footers based on this prototype? ...
To complicate things even more. the plan drawing of an "RBNX insulated boxcar" on p. 47 of the Jan '66 MR shows an FGE reefer that is an exact version of the ConCor plug-door 40-ft ice reefer if you removed the roof hatches -- roof, ends, everything except the right number of rivet seams ...

No, that isn't the prototype the MTL car is based on.  You'll have to check based on the car series reporting marks.  I don't remember the series currently,  but an eBay surf will yield that information.

The article in SCL-M provides the correct information on the RB prototype.   The roof and ends of the Con-Cor model are not correct as they are generic features used on all of those Kato-tooled boxcar models for Con-Cor in the 1970s.  I consider 1966 as late 1960s.

[wcfn100]

Is it a later photo of a repainted car?  The Blt date wouldn't change with the repaint, but the shop date should.

Here's a shot showing a similar car.



The shop date is "NEW 12-52", as is the car next to it.


Jason

[Sokramiketes]

Nice!  I didn't know the stripes were that early either.

[bbussey]

Interesting.  It could be that the boxcars had stripes and the reefers didn't.

[wcfn100]

Interesting.  It could be that the boxcars had stripes and the reefers didn't.

It very easily could be part of the 'Insulated' paint scheme.

These cars may be the first use of RBNX under FGE.  The site I checked for my other thread says July-54 which obviously isn't true (and why I'm looking for verification on the Hormel car).  I wish I had a Jan-53 ORER.  I'd like to know what (if any) other insulated cars they had at that time.


Jason