Oh where is Richard Hendrickson when we need him?
Fortunately he still lives within my computer.
On Jan 22, 2014, Pierre
Oliver asking about Swift’s 40’ steel reefer: Can someone tell what color
the roof should be on this horizontal seamed steel reefer? Black or
red?
And Richard responded:
Mineral red, Pierre (not the same red as the sides and ends). I have
photo documentation I’ll send you off-list.
That answers the question
about the 40’ horizontal seamed steel reefers. May not answer the question
about Swift’s 36’ wood reefers. I agree with Mike (who wouldn’t after all,
he has the keys to moderator jail) photo’s in Gene’s book do appear to show
black roofs on some Swift reefers. While that could be soot from steam
engines, it could also be faded black paint as it looks uniform across the
entire roof, except where boards have been replaced. Is it possible that
Swift painted some reefers with black roofs, then switched to the mineral
red with later reefers? Pierre what documentation did Richard send
you?
Fortunately I do not have
any Swift reefers waiting on the work bench for the definitive answer, but I
am of course curious.
