Paul, attached are color photos taken by Jack Delano in Chicago circa 1942-43. The cars are immediate predecessors of the 6000 series. The major difference was the application of steel ends on the 6000 series cars, but the paint scheme remained the same. MDT, a subsidiary of the NYC rr, began using gothic script in the mid-1950s but again the color scheme remained the same. I'm guessing the white scheme often seen on models was only used to show off the newest equipment and was replaced with the orange scheme as the cars were refurbished periodically every 5 to 7 or 8 years. Tony Wagner