Atlas FMC 5503 SP Question

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I’m not an SP modeler but there was so much SP running on CR that I’ve been adding pieces here and there to my freights to enhance realism. So I was happy to see Atlas release a SP double door FMC 5503:

http://www.atlasrr.com/HOFreight/ho5503boxcar.htm#.WNMTfZH3ahA

I queried Atlas customer service about the yellow markings on the doors. He told me they were prototype and used by forklift operators.

However, I’ve looked at dozens of FMC 5503 pictures, including 3 of the 4 numbers Atlas is offering and there is no yellow paint on those features:

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1997713
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=445642
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=997134

I recognize these pictures are more recent and not as-delivered, but I doubt the paint “wore off” over time. When pressed further, Atlas CS stated their R&D department had photos with the yellow markings and they would be produced as such.

2

I have looked at the same pictures you have, but remember none of them are older than 1998, by then the cars were about 20 years old, and I don’t think the shop forces would have painted in the yellow areas for the forklift operators when they did repaints.

Atlas has probably done the as delivered cars.

Rick Jesionowski

3

Here’s an earlier shot (from 1999) of one of these cars (from Fallen Flags) when the yellow paint was only 20 years old:

Ed

4

SP did use the yellow on the doors of plenty of cars.

Here’s one example from a builder’s photo.

The push plates tended to receive heavy wear, and were frequently painted over. Later photos show little evidence of the original yellow as with the above http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=sp248435&o=sp .

Here’s another one from ACF, again a builder’s photo http://freight.railfan.ca/cgi-bin/image.pl?i=sp668088&o=sp .

While I likewise couldn’t easily find any photos of the FMC 5503s matching the Atlas model, I won’t dismiss how Atlas handled their car without photographic evidence the prototypes lacked the yellow when new. There are a number of photos of these cars in service here http://www.railgoat.railfan.net/spcars/byclass/box/b070-80.htm .

5

Thank you all for the pictures and thoughts. Much appreciated.

6

Atlas appears to be doing these cars “as delivered”. Which is just great for me, as I can really use these for lumber transport. I’ll be getting all four. Another nice thing about these cars is they just LOOK SP.

I hope Atlas runs another batch 'cause I’d like another batch to gunge up so’s I can run them more recently.

Ed

7

Now that these FMC 5503 boxcars are out, they look quite nice. Unfortunately since the plant Atlas uses closed, it may be a while before they are run again. Even if it didn’t close, I’ve noticed Atlas waits years before running more of a type of box car. sigh

8

What look like yellow markings on SP boxcar doors are in fact yellow painted steel castings attached to the door is to give forklift operators a reinforced point on which to assist in opening stubborn and, sometimes damaged doors. When delivered, they were a vibrant yellow but repeated attacks by steel forks as well as the generally rough handling boxcar doors receive—the yellow quickly disappears under rust and the road grime boxcars endure. Sometimes they may repainted-- with whatever is in the gun and is being sprayed on the surrounding area. Take a good look at the rust and grime on the doors of the cars in the other posts and note it is heavier on the lower half of the doors–the areas usually involved in opening and closing the doors.