On many cars with no brake step, the wheel had a taller shaft and the brakeman stood on the roof. You are right that operating it from the ladder is pretty unsafe. Tony Thompson tony@...

Bob Chaparro wrote: You can also double-click on the photo to enlarge. The end view (above) not only shows the 3008 gallon capacity, but as you enlarge you can clearly see the side and end jacket shee

Bob Chaparro wrote: Note the manway cover (attached by a chain) hanging over the side of the dome. Tony Thompson tony@...

George Eichelberger wrote: Do you mean beyond what is listed in the Lane article? He gives quite complete-looking tables of “allocated” vs. “received” USRA cars. Do you have info beyond what he presen

Todd Sullivan wrote: Well described, Todd. The major exception to your description was in certain early-season shipments when entire trains of express reefers were moved over the railroad. In that cas

A string of express reefers might be taken over to the ice deck, if it happened to be nearby. But single cars, and cars in trains without time to wait for movement to an ice deck, would be iced right

gary laakso wrote: I assume Gary means PFM? Tony Thompson tony@...

Joe Binish wrote: Joe is exactly right on all counts. Star Brand is excellent paint. Tony Thompson tony@...

Claus Schlund wrote: Actually, the CRP was organized in 1946, so we have a REALLY small bracket. Tony Thompson tony@...

bill stanton wrote: Yes. By which I mean, it depended. Tony Thompson tony@...

Tim O'Connor wrote: Very true, Tim, and in addition, PFE was a participant in the Railway Express pool, so that cars were moved where needed under REA direction. They really could be seen anywhere. To

Paul Catapano wrote: Perhaps a poor choice of words. I only meant to say "typical" or "ordinary" or "standard." As others pointed out, it is indeed the post-1954 rebuilt type with the very narrow fasc

Larry King wrote: Well, as it happens, you are wrong. It's a totally conventional PFE passenger express reefer. Tony Thompson tony@...

BILL PARDIE wrote: There are photos of Associated drums in red with a white center stripe, and black with a red stripe. Probably other combos too. Most oil companies did this for different products, s

Bill Hirt wrote: No, that's a quite different dealer. IIRC the Grandt Lines kit was already available well before that RMJ article. I also have a faint recollection that Grandt did several structures

I wrote: Should have added that Grandt made a very nice warehouse, though a separate kit, and I think was INTENDED to go with the "oil dealer" kit. I see that same warehouse listed on the San Juan pag

Scott Haycock wrote: Absolutely that is it. Good find, Scott. I wouldn't have said that the tanks were better, particularly, but that all the components are so nicely done. Just needs a warehouse buil

Dave Bott wrote: Yes, the detail pages must have been standard throughout, as they match what I have for SP, EP&SW (not yet acquired by SP), and UP. Tony Thompson tony@...

Guy Wilber wrote: Thanks, Guy, an interesting film and one I don’t think I’ve seen. And it includes a nice segment on wheel production. But the one I’m remembering was black and white. Tony Thompson

Some have asked, off-list, for a citation of the SP video I mentioned. I don't have a link and don't know if it's on-line or not. But I did write a blog post on the topic of wheel production in SP's s