I had a great time. I caught several solid presentations, missed a couple, too. There was a wide assortment of excellent modeling on display. It was great to spend time with friends and several

Jim I would agree with Steve. The creation of OSHA and the Clean Air Act brought about major changes in industry, causing some to “Clean Up Their Act”, ie prevent spills, esp those of hazardous

That white streak has me puzzled, too. And if you blow up the picture, down at the bottom of the white streak is a blob of something that looks like a naked chicken. Something oozing out of the car?

Jim, I'm specylating here, but the clean water act was passed in 1972, and OSHA was created in 1970. I bet a lot of industries had to become more spill sensitive in the following decade. Spilled

If one looks at the NKP being discussed one can see all the repairs to the running boards from the evidence of fresh boards. This would be a safety requirement not just mechanical. Bob Witt A very

Hi all, Regarding that picture taken of the yard in Spokane in 1946 ... one of the things I noticed was a cut of 4 or 5 tank cars and the way product had spilled and run down their sides creating a

Dennis, When I enlarge the picture that white streak doesn't -seem- to be paper. I'm not saying it isn't just to be argumentative ... I'm asking again "what is it?" after trying to confirm

I bought an ample supply of those most excellent ladders. Thanks. CJT

Charlie, Peter Aue made etched stainless steel ladders for theNYC/P&LE gons. I don't know if Pierre offers them in his line of ladders, but he might.:-\ Tim O' MTH did indeed do a Greenville 52'6"

MTH did indeed do a Greenville 52’6” gondola with ladders, not grabs. That is my picture of the NYC car on a layout mock-up I had. I was interested because I am building a fleet of P&LE gons, and

Or... maybe the car was parked on an overpass for a few days or even weeks where steam locomotives were passing below and belching soot and smoke straight up onto the car side... I remember as a kid

I would concur with Dennis, it looks like the car was standing next to an opening, where a black dusty product was being handled. The white “streak” appears to be part of a paper grain door, or

Likely the remnants of a paper lining which got caught behind the door as it was opened, folding it back against the car side. I don't believe the dark splotch is coal dust, which doesn't stick all

Just a SWAG but the remains of a grain door? -- Jon MillerFor me time stopped in 1941Digitrax Chief/Zephyr systems, JMRI UserSPROG UserNMRA Life member #2623Member SFRH&MS

... and can anyone shed any light on the source of the white streak to the right of the door on that same NKP car? Is it possible that this white streak could be related to the black smear?

Thanks Bob.That's about what I expected but asked because it was such an interesting car. Cordially, Don Valentine

Michael, It -does- look like coal. I'm trying to figure out how the car would have gotten that wide a 'dusting' of coal ... And - that high up on the sides and up onto the roof. Wasn't bulk coal

David, I agree - and disagree with your statement about "a decade later". The part I disagree with is the idea that in '56 there would only be a few of the older cars "hanging on". It is

Don, The class was last listed in the Summary of Equipment for 1927, 29 cars. They were all gone by the S of E for January 1, 1928. Regards, Bob Witt

Bear in mind that 1946 was not a good year to be a freight car. They had been used very heavily during the war, plus many were old anyway as replacements slowed during the 1930s. Pretty much all the