Last month, I raised the issue of box cars being painted black
and the general consensus was that there was no evidence for it, other than bogus
models. I’ve just noticed, on page 21 of Zephyr 65, a small undated
photo from Dave Lotz’ collection, taken at Murray Iron Works in
Burlington. It shows box car #96777 (XM-9 built 1904) and a stock car
which I think is numbered 63xxx (SM-10 built 1909) The difference in colour –
even allowing for the stock car’s paint to have faded - is striking, so
that the box car looks black by comparison. The position of the shadow
behind the box car shows that it is not an issue.
The road number on the end of the box car is on the left rather than the right –
I think it was officially changed by the MCB in 1915 but the Burlington had started
switching sides earlier – which helps in dating the photo.
Just in passing, it looks like the stock car has had its tie rods over-tightened
to the point that it has a definite hump.
Rupert Gamlen
Auckland NZ