I haven't yet figured out the purpose of lines above the reporting
marks and below the car number. The standard placement of reporting
marks makes sense, but I can't figure out why the lines would be there,
from a practical point of view.
Dean Payne

--- In STMFC@..., "bierglaeser" <bierglaeser@y...> wrote:

Judging by the foregoing messages on this topic there was a lot of
latitude regarding the presence or absence of lines above the

reporting marks and below the car number.

SNIP >
In 1960 the otherwise identical diagram is changed to locate the
reporting marks in relation to the top of the rail instead of the
bottom edge of the car side. This same diagram is shown in 1961.

In 1962 diagram is the first to appear without lines above the
reporting marks and below the car number.

Once again the oft repeated advice 'work from a photo' appears to be
the best way to go.

Gene Green

In a message dated 4/22/05 6:56:22 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
deanpayne@... writes:

<< I haven't yet figured out the purpose of lines above the reporting
marks and below the car number. The standard placement of reporting
marks makes sense, but I can't figure out why the lines would be there,
from a practical point of view. >>

Dean,

Both the ARA's Transportation and Mechanical Committee reports from the 1920s
discuss the implementation of the lines (above) the reporting marks and
(below) car numbers as a method of distinguishing the reporting marks and car
numbers from other data on the side of the car. A simple fix to enable carmen,
clerks, etc., to locate the "enclosed" info more easily.

Regards,

Guy Wilber
Earthquake Faults, Nevada