Early

Originally posted by Charlie Duckworth, 23 May, 2015

Freight Car Painting Notes from Ed Hawkins

MoPac’s earliest open hopper cars that were built in 1925 and all subsequent open-type cars were painted black with white stencils until 1961. During this time black paint was used on twin, triple, and quad hoppers, ballast cars, flat cars, pulpwood cars, gondola cars, and even some “roofed” hopper cars. The last MoPac freight cars painted black that I know of were gondola cars with coil covers built in June 1960.

I don’t have an exact date, but with the new management in place (Mr. Jenks and Mr. John German as Chief of the Mechanical Department), starting around mid-1961 all freight car types previously painted black were to receive freight car red paint. At roughly the same time MoPac ceased applying “Route of the Eagles” stencils on freight cars (a check of two MP stenciling drawings for a gondola and 50 ton boxcar both show ‘Route of the Eagle removed on 3-16-61 CAD). This change closely coincides when MoPac locomotives and passenger cars previously painted in Eagle colors or switchers painted black began to receive all-blue paint. Effective dates of M.P. locomotive painting & lettering drawings were in May and June 1961.

There are photos of MoPac quad hoppers in Railway Prototype Cyclopedia Volume 5 (out of print) and one additional MoPac photo published as part of an addendum in RP CYC Volume 14. However, when those articles were published I did not have any of the quad hoppers with the Route of the Eagles slogan.

Thank you, Nate, for posting the MP 56188 photo as it’s the only quad hopper photo I’ve seen with the Eagles slogan.

The upcoming BLI quad hopper cars, as well as Athearn model that has been available for decades, is based on a B&O prototype having an inside length of 41′-3″. There are a number of differences between B&O’s and MoPac’s quad hopper cars. MoPac’s cars were 8″ shorter with a 40′-5″ inside length, a slightly different side design as well as differences in the side ladders. But the BLI and Athearn models are likely to be the closest HO-scale models to be found.

Stock car painting

For any cars MoPac box or stock cars built by ACF during the 1940s, the bills of materials are usually silent on the painting of running boards. However, in the case of the stock cars built in 1940 they were specifically called out to be unpainted, which the two builder’s photos also show.

Stock cars I-GN 54000-54099 (lot 2073) and NOT&M 54100-54199 (lot 2072) built in 1940 used “Pittsburgh Carhide Red” on the inside and outside of the the sides and on the ends, roof, and floor. Black underframe, trucks, and bottom of floor. ACF paint samples for lots 2072/2073 (as they would have appeared in 1940) closely matched Scalecoat #13 Box Car Red or Tru-Color ATSF Mineral Brown #19, either one straight from the bottle. The paint sample is a relatively dark shade of brown. If using the ATSF Mineral Brown #19, I suggest lightening a bit with light gray otherwise I think it will look too dark on the model.

Repainted box and stock cars of the 1950s would have more red, like Tru-Color #188, which I believe is the best color for MP “box car red” freight cars as they appeared in the 1950s. This color closely matches the Branchline cars done for the MPHS.

An overhead photo taken at DeSoto of I-GN stock car 53936, new 9-44, appears to have freight car brown on the roof and running board. This photo was published in The Eagle in the special article about livestock and MoPac’s stock cars that we worked on jointly. This car had a steel roof whereas the 1940 ACF stock cars had wood roofs.

New DeSoto-built box cars during the early 1950s had black roofs (to the extent that can be determined in photos). The portion of the running boards visible in photos typically show they were a dark color. For these cars I use black for the running boards, but it’s doubtful that the painters were careful to ensure the running boards were entirely covered.

MP 90000 taken by Lou Schmitz in 1954 Council Bluffs. Note the unpainted galvanized steel with the exception of having their seam caps coated. MPHS Collection

Eagle Merchandise Service 40′ boxcar painted in Mopac’s passenger colors of Eagle Blue, Eagle gray with yellow doors painted on the upper and lower thirds. Roof was unpainted galvanized steel with the exception of having their seam caps coated and painted in Eagle Gray. Underframe and trucks were black.

Another Lou Schmitz photo from the MPHS collection of a 40’Eagle Merchandise car taken in Omaha, Nebraska. Comparing the two color photos you’ll notice the Mopac changed the ends of the cars from Eagle gray to Eagle Blue at some point in the mid-1950’s.

Mopac Rebuilt Boxcars in the 1950’s – Roof colors

I covered this to the extent of my limited knowledge in RP CYC Vol. 14. Other than the XME cars in which the painting diagram exists, everything else is based on photos. From what I see in the photos, MP either left them unpainted (but sometimes coating just the seam caps to help avoid leaks) or coated the entire roof with black car cement. Variations appear to depend on when the cars were built and possibly the car shop.

At least some were left unpainted galvanized steel with the exception of having their seam caps coated. See p. 19 for StLB&M 3306 that shows a good view of the roof of a rebuilt car after a relatively short time in service. That may have been how Kingsville did it. Also, from what I can determine from the photo of MP 42005 (p. 15), this car had an unpainted galvanized steel roof. This car had seen very little service after being rebuilt 11-51.

On the other hand, the side views of MP 41568 (p. 27) and I-GN 16074 (p. 31) show black car cement on the roofs. These cars were rebuilt in the 1953-1954 time period, so it’s possible that MP decided to change their painting specs in 1952-1953. By the way, this time period coincides with new steel box cars like the Branchline models we did for the MPHS, photos of which show black roofs when built.

It’s a shame that the DeSoto box car paint specs apparently weren’t kept, as they would answer a lot of questions.

Ed Hawkins

Originally posted by Charlie Duckworth, 8 June, 2014

Tagged Early Freight Paint

Work on this list is ongoing and should not be considered complete any missing models should be sent to [email protected].

Type of Model	Manufacturer	Kit Number	Scale	Name of Model	Material Used	Availability (2014)
Freight Car	Accurail	4600, 4699	HO	MP USRA Boxcar	Plastic kit	Yes
Freight car	Atlas	20 000 176	HO	IGN 17144 ARA 1932 Boxcar	Plastic RTR	Yes
Freight car	Atlas	20 000 177	HO	IGN 17149 ARA 1932 Boxcar	Plastic RTR	Yes
Freight car	Funaro & Camerlengo	6140	HO	MP 45′ gondola non-panel	Resin casting	http://fandckits.com/HOFreight/6140.html
Freight car	Funaro & Camerlengo	6141	HO	MP 45′ gondola panel sides	Resin casting	http://fandckits.com/HOFreight/6141.html
Freight car	Funaro & Camerlengo	6143	HO	MP 45′ gondola panel sides – one piece body	Resin casting	http://fandckits.com/HOFreight/6143.html
Freight car	Funaro & Camerlengo	6812	HO	MP 1932 ARA Boxacr	Resin Casting	http://fandckits.com/HOFreight/6812.html
Freight car	Sunshine Models	1.1	HO	MP 45′ Gondola Panel Sides	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Intermountain	46603	HO	MP USRA Composite gondola	Plastic and wood RTR	Available
Freight car	Sunshine Models	1.2	HO	MP 45′ Gondola Non-panel Sides	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	9.1	HO	T&P 82000 Rebuilt Boxcar	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	14.1	HO	ART Wood Reefer w/ Metal sheathed hatches	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	14.2	HO	ART Wood Reefer w/ Equipo Hatches	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.1	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Wood DS Boxcar	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.1R	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Wood DS Boxcar Indented Murphy Ends	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.2	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Wood DS Boxcar Indented Murphy Ends MOW decals	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.3	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Steel Boxcar Indented Murphy Ends Eagle Merch. decals	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.4	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Steel Boxcar Dreadnaught Ends Eagle Merch. decals	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.5	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Steel Boxcar Murphy Ends Modified Eagle Merch. decals	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.6	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Steel Boxcar Dreadnaught Ends Modified Eagle Merch. decals	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.7	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Steel Boxcar Murphy Ends Route of the Eagles decals	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	19.8	HO	MP 36′ 120000 Steel Boxcar Dreadnaught Ends Route of the Eagles decals	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	21.1	HO	MP/IGN ARA 1932 Boxcar	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Passenger Car	Sunshine Models	27.3	HO	MP 53′ Express Reefer	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	39.6	HO	MP/IGN Howe Truss Radial Roof Boxcar. Murphy Ends	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	39.7	HO	IGN/NOT&M Howe Truss Radial Roof Boxcar. Murphy Ends	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	39.8	HO	MP Howe Truss Rebuild Route of the Eagles. Murphy Ends	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight Car	Sunshine Models	39.9	HO	MP Howe Truss Rebuild Eagle Merchandise Service. Murphy Ends	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	39.10	HO	MP Howe Truss Rebuild Route of the Eagles DN ends	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	39.11	HO	MP Howe Truss Rebuild Eagle Merchandise Service. DN Ends	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Sunshine Models	54.3	HO	MP Stockcar 54000 series Steel Roof	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freighjt car	Sunshine Models	54.4	HO	MP Stockcar 53850 series Wood Roof	Resin Casting	OOP check ebay or Train Swap meets
Freight car	Westerfield Models	2001	HO	T&P DS Wood Automobile boxcar	Resin Casting	Westerfield Web Site http://www.westerfieldmodels.com/58701.html
Freight car	Westerfield Models	2051	HO	T&P DS Wood boxcar	Resin Casting	Westerfield Web Site http://www.westerfieldmodels.com/58701.html
Freight car	Westerfield Models	2052	HO	T&P Rebuilt Boxcar	Resin Casting	Available through MPHS Company Store http://www.mopac.org/index.php/store
Freight car	Westerfield Models	1901	HO	Mopac 40′ Automobile boxcar 81000 series	Resin Casting	Available through MPHS Company Store http://www.mopac.org/index.php/store
Freight car	Westerfield Models	1951	HO	Mopac 40′ Single-sheathed 46000 Boxcar	Resin Casting	Available through MPHS Company Store http://www.mopac.org/index.php/store
Freight car	Westerfield Models	8852	HO	Mopac single deck stock car	Resin Casting	Available through MPHS Company Store http://www.mopac.org/index.php/store
Freight car	Westerfield Models	8854	HO	Mopac double deck stock car	Resin Casting	Available through MPHS Company Store http://www.mopac.org/index.php/store
Freight car	Westerfield Models	6501	HO	ART wood reefer Type 1B	Resin Casting	Westerfield Web Site http://www.westerfieldmodels.com/58701.html
Freight car	Westerfield Models	6003	HO	ART wood reefer Type 1A	Resin Casting	Westerfield Web Site http://www.westerfieldmodels.com/58701.html
Freight car	ARM/MPHS		HO	ART 1938 Scheme Steel Reefer belt rail	Plastic RTR	http://amarillorailmuseum.com/artreefer.html
Freight car	ARM/MPHS		HO	ART 1951 Scheme Steel Reefer with belt rail	Plastic RTR	http://amarillorailmuseum.com/art_ph2.html
Freight car	Exactrail		HO	Bethlehem 3737 hopper 1973 Small Eagle logo	Plastic RTR	https://www.exactrail.com/model-trains?scale=152
Freight car	Exactrail		HO	Bethlehem 3737 hopper 1973 CEI	Plastic RTR	https://www.exactrail.com/model-trains?scale=152
Freight car	Exactrail		HO	Bethlehem 3737 hopper 1974 TP lettering	Plastic RTR	https://www.exactrail.com/model-trains?scale=152
Freight car	Tangent Models		HO	Mopac PS PS-2CD 4740 Covered Hopper	Plastic RTR	https://www.tangentscalemodels.com/product/ps4740-missouripacific/
Freight car	Athearn		HO	Mopac Airslide MP 100-199 series built 1957-58	Plastic RTR	Athearn MP Airslide Covered Hopper – ARM/MPHS Special Run
Locomotive	LifeLike Proto 2000		HO	Mopac PA-1 Original Eagle colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	LifeLike Proto 2000		HO	Mopac GP7 Original Eagle colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	LifeLike Proto 2000		HO	Mopac GP18 Original Eagle colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	LifeLike Proto 2000		HO	Mopac GP18 low nose Jenks Blue Alco trucks	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	LifeLike Proto 2000		HO	Mopac BL2 Original Eagle colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	LifeLike Proto 2000		HO	Texas & Pacific SW8 #812 and #817	Plastic RTR	OOP
Caboose	American Model Builders	883	HO	Mopac Drovers Caboose	Laser kit	http://mopac.org/index.php/store?start=24
Caboose	American Model Builders	884	HO	Mopac Drovers LCL Version Caboose	Laser kit	http://mopac.org/index.php/store?start=24
Locomotive	Athearn Genesis		HO	Mopac EMD F3 Original Eagle frt colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	Athearn Genesis		HO	Mopac EMD F5 DC Original Eagle frt colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	Athearn Genesis		HO	Mopac EMD F7 DC Original Eagle frt colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	Athearn Genesis		HO	T&P EMD F7 Eagle Passenger colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	Athearn Genesis		HO	T&P EMD F7 original Eagle frt colors	Plastic RTR	OOP check ebay or train swap meets
Locomotive	Athearn Geneses		HO	Mopac EMD GP9 DCC/sound original ft colors	Plastic RTR	Currently available 4/2014
Locomotive	Athearn Genesis		HO	T&P EMD GP9 DCC/sound original ft colors	Plastic RTR	Currently available 4/2014
Caboose	Hallmark		HO	MP 700-800-900 class wood caboose	Brass model	Check ebay or Train swap meets. This class of caboose was done by Overland in brass and is a better model.
Caboose	Hallmark		HO	T&P Short Muley caboose	Brass model	Check ebay or Train swap meets.
Caboose	Hallmark		HO	MP Horizon wood sheathed caboose	Brass model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Hallmark		HO	KO&G steel center cupola caboose	Brass Model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Overland		HO	MP Standard Wood Caboose	Brass Model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Overland		HO	NOT&M wood caboose	Brass model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Overland		HO	MP cupola/bay window caboose	Brass model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Overland		HO	MP 1948 DeSoto riveted steel caboose	Brass model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Overland		HO	MP 1948 Sedalia welded caboose	Brass model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Overland		HO	MP Extended Vision Caboose	Brass Model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Overland		HO	MP Short Bay Window Caboose	Brass Model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Pecos River Brass		HO	T&P Steel Caboose – original version	Brass model	Check ebay or train swap meets
Caboose	Pecos River Brass		HO	T&P Steel Caboose – modernized version	Brass model	Check ebay or trin swap meets
Locomotive	Atlas Classic	8420	HO	T&P GP7 #1110	Plastic	Painted Swamp Holly Orange & black
Freight car	Moloco Trains		HO	MP 780000 series Gen. Am. 50′ RBL 10′ 6″ Offset door		http://www.molocotrains.com/store/ga50rbls1-10-6offwideundeckit.html Decals for this car can be ordered here http://maskislanddecals.com/home.html
Locomotive	Proto 2000		HO	MP 0-8-0 9601 USRA steam locomotive

Originally posted by Ed Hawkins and Charlie Duckworth, 15 December, 2013

Tagged Caboose Diesel Early Freight Locomotive Steam

Mopac 1940’s and 1950’s Diesel Switchers Painting Standards (work in progress) – Modeling Resource

Mopac 1940’s and 1950’s Diesel Switchers Painting Standards – Modeling Resource

Mopac 1950 Freight Car Painting Information from Ed Hawkins – Modeling Resource

List of HO Steam/Early Diesel Freight Car and Caboose Models by Ed Hawkins and Charlie Duckworth – Modeling Resource

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