I was enlarging this image on my phone and it’s pretty evident that the Alton boxcar’s radial roof is unpainted galvanized steel and the panel caps are also unpainted (note how shiny they are in the sunlight). 

--
Charlie Duckworth 
Omaha, Ne.

On 09/16/2022 5:10 PM Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

I took Eric's image and excerpted this blow-up of the Alton car (attached).  I think this roof has been re-painted, probably just before they painted the sides. 

It looks like over spray of the roof color on the far half of the running board, and you can see a 'paint line' just below the near edge, showing unpainted roof under the running board itself.

And it looks like there may be a hint of red overspray along the left side of the roof, and on the edge of the nearest lateral. Judging by the overspray patterns, I'd say the wind was blowing from the left on the day this car was repainted!

On 09/16/2022 7:07 PM Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> wrote:

so . . .  never looked at that image so closely before to see the signs of overspray you mention Scott.  I have always just viewed it as the car colour reflecting the sky light.  Now, suspending that conclusion, the overspray at left does suggest another colour on the roof.  Is that supposed to be black paint on top of the roof then?  Surely they wouldn’t try to paint it a blue metal colour?

Rob

On Sep 16, 2022, at 5:09 PM, Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

That Image came out terribly! Try this one, taken from the original tiff.

Scott Haycock

On 09/16/2022 5:10 PM Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

I took Eric's image and excerpted this blow-up of the Alton car (attached).  I think this roof has been re-painted, probably just before they painted the sides. 

It looks like over spray of the roof color on the far half of the running board, and you can see a 'paint line' just below the near edge, showing unpainted roof under the running board itself.

And it looks like there may be a hint of red overspray along the left side of the roof, and on the edge of the nearest lateral. Judging by the overspray patterns, I'd say the wind was blowing from the left on the day this car was repainted!

<Unpainted Roof 2.PNG>

On 09/16/2022 7:21 PM Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> wrote:

First time i’ve seen anything like that - thanks for posting this Scott.

The car in this photo is on my project pile right now; working to bash components from Westefield etc.  This detail just makes it more interesting!

Rob

On Sep 16, 2022, at 6:18 PM, Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

Rob, I can't say about the Alton, but I did some research awhile back on this type of roof for another project.  They were not galvanized, but painted with a 'galvanized' paint. I've attached a color chip for the paint manufacturer's current version.

Scott Haycock

On 09/16/2022 7:07 PM Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> wrote:

so . . .  never looked at that image so closely before to see the signs of overspray you mention Scott.  I have always just viewed it as the car colour reflecting the sky light.  Now, suspending that conclusion, the overspray at left does suggest another colour on the roof.  Is that supposed to be black paint on top of the roof then?  Surely they wouldn’t try to paint it a blue metal colour?

Rob

On Sep 16, 2022, at 5:09 PM, Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

That Image came out terribly! Try this one, taken from the original tiff.

Scott Haycock

On 09/16/2022 5:10 PM Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

I took Eric's image and excerpted this blow-up of the Alton car (attached).  I think this roof has been re-painted, probably just before they painted the sides. 

It looks like over spray of the roof color on the far half of the running board, and you can see a 'paint line' just below the near edge, showing unpainted roof under the running board itself.

And it looks like there may be a hint of red overspray along the left side of the roof, and on the edge of the nearest lateral. Judging by the overspray patterns, I'd say the wind was blowing from the left on the day this car was repainted!

<Unpainted Roof 2.PNG>

<Capture.JPG>

I would say it is a possibility, Charlie. The Alton car looks like it has pretty fresh paint. The angle of the sun and the angle of the camera lens don’t help that much in viewing the roof color.

Don’t forget there was lots of soot back then. I’ve attached the photo I sent previously which has had the exposure adjusted. Check out the Pennsy X92 in the front left corner and the car beside it. The NYC box car at the right, second row back, does not seem very brown. The car in front of it and the one to the right of the NYC car also seem to have caught lots of soot and grime on the roofs. It’s a mix among all the cars.

I do like all the discolored wood running board planks. Another aspect to add in your weathering factory.

Eric Hansmann

Murfreesboro, TN

I was enlarging this image on my phone and it’s pretty evident that the Alton boxcar’s radial roof is unpainted galvanized steel and the panel caps are also unpainted (note how shiny they are in the sunlight). 

--
Charlie Duckworth 
Omaha, Ne.

On 09/16/2022 7:46 PM Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> wrote:

I don’t know how common they were; to be clear - I didn’t know the radial roof on these cars was a Hutchins dry lading.  I’m wondering how much difference in appearance there is between the Hutchins radial and the Murphy radial used on the CP minibox?  

Rob

On Sep 16, 2022, at 6:34 PM, Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

It looks like a fun project!

Were Hutchins Dry Lading roofs common in the radial (vs. flat) designs?

Scott Haycock

On 09/16/2022 7:21 PM Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> wrote:

First time i’ve seen anything like that - thanks for posting this Scott.

The car in this photo is on my project pile right now; working to bash components from Westefield etc.  This detail just makes it more interesting!

Rob

On Sep 16, 2022, at 6:18 PM, Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

Rob, I can't say about the Alton, but I did some research awhile back on this type of roof for another project.  They were not galvanized, but painted with a 'galvanized' paint. I've attached a color chip for the paint manufacturer's current version.

Scott Haycock

On 09/16/2022 7:07 PM Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> wrote:

so . . .  never looked at that image so closely before to see the signs of overspray you mention Scott.  I have always just viewed it as the car colour reflecting the sky light.  Now, suspending that conclusion, the overspray at left does suggest another colour on the roof.  Is that supposed to be black paint on top of the roof then?  Surely they wouldn’t try to paint it a blue metal colour?

Rob

On Sep 16, 2022, at 5:09 PM, Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

That Image came out terribly! Try this one, taken from the original tiff.

Scott Haycock

On 09/16/2022 5:10 PM Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

I took Eric's image and excerpted this blow-up of the Alton car (attached).  I think this roof has been re-painted, probably just before they painted the sides. 

It looks like over spray of the roof color on the far half of the running board, and you can see a 'paint line' just below the near edge, showing unpainted roof under the running board itself.

And it looks like there may be a hint of red overspray along the left side of the roof, and on the edge of the nearest lateral. Judging by the overspray patterns, I'd say the wind was blowing from the left on the day this car was repainted!

<Unpainted Roof 2.PNG>

<Capture.JPG>

On 09/16/2022 7:07 PM Robert kirkham <rdkirkham@...> wrote:

 

 

so . . .  never looked at that image so closely before to see the signs of overspray you mention Scott.  I have always just viewed it as the car colour reflecting the sky light.  Now, suspending that conclusion, the overspray at left does suggest another colour on the roof.  Is that supposed to be black paint on top of the roof then?  Surely they wouldn’t try to paint it a blue metal colour?

 

Rob

 

On Sep 16, 2022, at 5:09 PM, Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

That Image came out terribly! Try this one, taken from the original tiff.

 

 

Scott Haycock

On 09/16/2022 5:10 PM Scott H. Haycock <shhaycock@...> wrote:

 

 

I took Eric's image and excerpted this blow-up of the Alton car (attached).  I think this roof has been re-painted, probably just before they painted the sides. 

 

It looks like over spray of the roof color on the far half of the running board, and you can see a 'paint line' just below the near edge, showing unpainted roof under the running board itself.

 

And it looks like there may be a hint of red overspray along the left side of the roof, and on the edge of the nearest lateral. Judging by the overspray patterns, I'd say the wind was blowing from the left on the day this car was repainted!

 

 

 

 

<Unpainted Roof 2.PNG>