I have made the same observation as Brian. All steam era roofs seemed dark. I always attributed this to steam locomotive exhaust soot. As diesels took over freight cars seemed to stay cleaner and even

Rene, As far as I know those cars were painted freight car red like the old Floquil Boxcar Red. It appears that a few cars were rebuilt after WWII for on-line quarry to mill service. Those cars appear

John, Chad Boas told me Shapeways offers the ends in their line. Should be a drop in replacement. Mont Montford L. Switzer President Switzer Tank Lines, Inc. Fall Creek Leasing, LLC. mswitzer@switzert

Bob, In the world of bulk liquid and dry bulk it has been my experience that if hoses were hooked up the blue flat were in place before and after. Mont Montford L. Switzer President Switzer Tank Lines

John, It seems that an empty tender would be pretty light for a snow plow so did they fill the cistern and coal (or oil) bunker with sand or some other heavy material. As a side note, according to the

This wreck was on the Monon just south of the railroad's northern terminus, South Hammond, IN. Among the damage is the remains of the Lowell station. They had to build a new one. Mont Switzer

Group, This series of gondolas were built by Thrall in 1952. They were of composite construction because the Monon was still hauling cut and milled limestone throughout the country. This product requi

Tony and David Thompson: The Monon had two cars identical to the SAL water car. They were 8000 gallon cars used for transporting diesel fuel and waste oil. The Monon picked them up on the used market

Elden, I would suspect in that era the original coils were shipped on end in closed (boxcars) cars with lots of blocking and bracing. Enclosed cars helps prevent rust, dirt, etc. for the same reasons

Could be ends of larger coils used to stamp out car fenders and home appliances. Coils might have been involved in a wreck. Scrap now. Montford L. Switzer President Switzer Tank Lines, Inc. Fall Creek

Thanks Tony. I knew you would straighten me out on things PFE. Interesting methodology. Mont Montford L. Switzer President Switzer Tank Lines, Inc. Fall Creek Leasing, LLC. mswitzer@... (765

Tony, Correct me if I have this wrong --- like I know you will. I'm thinking PFE paid the railroads by the mile to handle their cars, not by the ton, so the only benefit of lighter aluminum cars was t

and Martin and Pat Lofton. Mont Switzer

Tony, That is how you cut longer bolts and treaded rod in the real world. Always works. Montford L. Switzer President Switzer Tank Lines, Inc. Fall Creek Leasing, LLC. mswitzer@... (765) 836

Cranberries: the folks around Warren, Wisconsin, Cranberry Museum say their state is the largest cranberry producing state in the US. Idaho: I thought they were growing french fries there. Mont Montfo

Ben, Why I like the Delrin 2-56 screws is I can cut or trim them to the exact length that I want, with ease. I've done this before and after installation with equal success. Mont Switzer

Well said, Tom. Mont Switzer

Jeff, Let me qualify this response. I lived near Akron for over 10 years and was involved in handling outbound rubber products from all "tire shops," where tires were "built." This was in the 1970's.

Thanks John. Will be watching for it. Mont Switzer Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Al, When I was building D-8's I talked to a guy who owned one or two of them. I concluded from the conversation that a 70T flat would not handle 2 of them. I've googled other CAT models and base data