IM NYC Pacemakers are out.....

[Big4Man]

with a %#@! BLACK ROOF! WTH? 

I have yet to find any photographic evidence that shows these with a black roof.....

amazing disappointment. 

edit: http://www.intermountain-railway.com/n/html/65771.htm

Granted, they are foobies, but still!

[SkipGear]

Atlas seems to feel they should have black roofs, at least in this O scale special run....

http://www.atlaso.com/images/specialruns/9728-3_TQ.jpg

[wcfn100]

I think the black roof is correct if the ladders and other hardware, such are black.


Jason

[davefoxx]

According to this informative website, http://www.canadasouthern.com/caso/NYC-MODELS-FREIGHT.htm:

"Paint diagram shows roof as black F-1 car cement, though most cars had red overspray making the roof appear red from ground level."

Hope this helps,
DFF

[Big4Man]

Thanks for the reference DFF.

I had that site already saved to favorites. However, all the photos I have seen (some are Black & White) show a matching Vermillion Red roof including the running boards, which are easier to discern.

[skm]

I found this info in a little search, as the scheme is catchy and interesting.....

"From the New York Central System Historical Society Headlight First Quarter 1992.

 “Appliances on the cars were from a wide variety of manufacturers, perhaps due to wartime shortages of steel.”: 4 brands of metal roofwalks; 2 types of 6’ doors; 6 different truck models; 2 types of hand brakes.

There were three lettering & herald schemes:
1. Original: White lettering – white herald (oval) with red background
The white lettering on gray became hard to read when weathered.
2. Beginning in 1949, black lettering was used on the gray portion.
3. Beginning in 1955, the background of the herald was changed to black.

“There has for some time been a controversy over the roof color on these cars....it would appear that some of the roofs were painted red and some were unpainted galvanized metal with red overspray on them. In later years some cars received a black freight car cement coating as waterproofing.”

Another point of interest was that without dimensional data, these cars could not be used for interchange service. Is that correct?

skm

[Big4Man]

skm, You are correct about the interchange restrictions. The dimi data was/is a requirement for interchange with other roads. I don't have an exact date or year this info was put on individual Pacemaker cars. A good date range would be 1957-1960. The "Early Bird" scheme of fast freight was beginning to emerge in 1957. I suspect not all the original Lots made the transition as some individual cars were probably completely repainted in Boxcar Red, Jade Green or retired off the roster. There were also a handful of BCR cars with Pacemaker markings. Deluxe Innovations released a BCR Pacemaker car (again, a foobie car mfr) many years ago.

[FrankCampagna]

Pacemaker was NYC's brand name for their LCL service. At the time a great deal of industry, both receiving and producing, was located on the NYC. A lot of LCL traffic was strictly online, and cars didn't have to leave the system. No need for the interchange data.

Frank

[skm]

Frank, totally makes sense, but makes it then hard to justify having any of these unless you model NYC or can come up with a plausible 'capture' story!

[FrankCampagna]

There are two sets with interchange data. One in the 1955 scheme with a Youngstown door, one in the late scheme with Youngstown door. Probably released for interchange use when the LCL business started drying up. I'm planning on modeling the NYC in the sixties. Might get one or two, if I can work it in the budget.

Frank