I have a catalog illustration showing the shipping of valves, on a loading dock with an SP steel boxcar. The car has the prominent spelled-out roadname airbrushed out. Ron Merrick

The photo is interesting because you can see the floor plates. I think these were available at one time as etched parts from Sunshine... I have seen them in only a couple of photos. Also note the

Staffan, here's a high-res scan of an Ernest Steffan photo ca. 1940 in the Kalmbach Library collection. Richard Hendrickson 

You've found a great example of the Dr. P. H. Martin school of photo retouching :-) If you click on the "View larger image" then right click the image, you should open a version that you can zoom in

That's a Great Northern car, retouched. http://www.greatnorthernempire.net/index2.htm?GNEFreightCars.htm GN 6000-6499, 1959. Remember the AAR publicity, that featured N&W cars retouched to 'East &

Steve, Interestingly, the description at the link says "Central Inland Railway", not "Commercial..." although the car is clearly lettered "Commercial Inland Railway" with reporting marks CIRR.

If you view the photo full-size it appears that the photo has been altered. In the upper-left corner of the car is a Great Northern Railway Trust stencil. The Commercial Inland Railway logo looks

I found something that I have never seen before, a "Commercial Inland Railway" box car. Its at this link: http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/ViewRecord.aspx?RID=51DBCFAA29B0966B48149F8FE755EA46

Thanks several listers for your helpful responses. Problem is solved. Staffan Ehnbom

And some of us may recall the days in the 40s/early-50s when MR promoted the use of "stove polish".... Bob Chapman

The photo Lou is talking about can be seen here. www.sunshinekits.com/suninst/instmk10.pdf Jim Hayes Portland Oregon www.sunshinekits.com [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

There is a 3/4 view of 19612 in September 1946 that shows the B end in The Postwar Freight Car Fleet by Kline and Culotta. Lou Whiteley Lawrenceville, NJ ________________________________ To:

There is a small 3/4 view including the B end of 18862, new in 1939 -- an ACF's builder photo -- on the "Prototype Data and Modeling Notes" sheet of Sunshine Models' Mini-Kit for this series of IC

Would anyone know of a photo showing B end details on an Illinois Central 18000-19999 series box car? Staffan Ehnbom

In Morning Sun's "Nickel Plate Color Photography of Willis A. McCaleb Vol. 1", page 116, is a photo with what appears to be Sunshine's NYC 1-1/2 door reblt. steel box car. It has Youngstown doors, 7

I like using white vinegar to etch brass parts prior to painting. Bill Welch

Bleach blackens brass/copper/silver in this way too. Aaron

Though the oxide coating deposited by chemical blackeners is very thin and will rub off, leaving shiny spots, it is much less likely to do so if coated with a clear flat finish. However, this

Robert Wrote: Robert, Were the M-27B class numbered in the 294000 series? If not, were these the M-27F class or another? Totals favor the F series. By June of 1937 the B&O registered 491 40'

I remember way back when, we used Nickel Chloride as a blackener.   Rich Christie