When did the Reading start to paint the Reading Lines diamond and "speed
lettering" on their boxcars? See the link for an example

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/rdg/rdg114162ajs.jpg



Brian J. Carlson, P.E.

Cheektowaga, NY

On Mar 9, 2012, at 6:28 PM, Brian Carlson wrote:

When did the Reading start to paint the Reading Lines diamond and
"speed
lettering" on their boxcars? See the link for an example

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/rdg/rdg114162ajs.jpg

Brian J. Carlson, P.E.

Brian,
The change actually occurred within an order, ACF lot 4741, 400 cars in
series 109000-109399 built 11-56. According to my notes (not sure where
I got the information), the first 200 cars received the earlier
"READING" serif-style road name stencils near the side ladders. The
last 200 cars received the Reading Lines diamond to the right of the
door and larger READING slanted speed lettering to the left of the
door.

I have photos in the earlier scheme of cars 109051, 109056, and 109099.
The 109099 is an ACF builder's photo. The Reading Color Guide book has
photos of 109173 and 109192 in the earlier scheme (ACF builder's badge
visible). The diamond scheme with speed lettering is documented with
109300, 109320, 109329, and 109399. The 109300 and 109399 photos are
ACF builder's photos taken at the Berwick plant. I have looked for
photos in the 109200-109299 to confirm the 200/200 car split, but thus
far haven't found any.

The in-service photos of 109051 and 109320 are from Richard Burg. The
109329 is from Bob's Photo. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Ed Hawkins

Ed,

You have said that the speed lettering on the Reading box cars began to be used in

Group,

Sorry for the wasted bandwith with the incomplete message.

Ed, you stated that the Reading "speed lettering" of the Road Name began to be applied to Reading boxcars in late 1956. My question regarding the speed lettering is when it was applied to Reading hoppers.

Kadee not long ago applied this lettering to twin hoppers with offset-sides with the balance of the lettering in Railroad Roman (Road initials and other lettering). The balance of this scheme on the black car had the red and white "Anthracite" herald applied to the car to the right of the speed lettered "Reading" name.

Is there any information as to when this change to speed lettering began?

Tom Olsen
7 Boundary Road, West Branch
Newark, Delaware, 19711-7479
(302) 738-4292
tmolsen@...

On Mar 17, 2012, at 2:33 PM, <tmolsen@...> wrote:

Ed, you stated that the Reading "speed lettering" of the Road Name
began to be applied to Reading boxcars in late 1956. My question
regarding the speed lettering is when it was applied to Reading
hoppers.

Kadee not long ago applied this lettering to twin hoppers with
offset-sides with the balance of the lettering in Railroad Roman (Road
initials and other lettering). The balance of this scheme on the black
car had the red and white "Anthracite" herald applied to the car to
the right of the speed lettered "Reading" name.

Is there any information as to when this change to speed lettering
began?

Tom,
Reading 50-ton offset-side hoppers in series 86000-86699, built 10-55,
were the first new Reading hoppers with the speed lettering.
Regards,
Ed Hawkins