Green ATSF Stock Car Questions

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

The next Christmas after I bought my first train set (circa 1978), I asked for and received a green ATSF stock car similar to the one on this link: http://tycotrain.tripod.com/redboxerafreightcars/id6.html (I think mine was actually sold by Life-Like). During a recent move, I realized that of all the “train set” cars I once had, this was the only one I hung onto.

Now I’m curious whether this green color had any roots in reality. Did the Santa Fe actually paint any of their stock cars in any shade of green? If so, can you point me to a photo somewhere?

If not, any guesses as to why the mfg’r chose this color? I know the most likely answer is that train set mfg’rs often chose unrealistic color schemes to make the cars more attractive to kids, but maybe there’s another answer.

I would be interested to hear any info you guys (or gals) might be able to provide.

Thanks,

Tom

2

I have never seen or read about a green Santa Fe stockcar in any books or photos. All I’ve ever seen are mineral brown. But I sure know about the green stockcar you’re referring to, and actually several manufactures made HO green Santa Fe stockcars.

But why green?

My theory is that they simply copied a classic Lionel car, the Lionel 3356 Santa Fe operating horse car. The Lionel version is unprototypical as well. But it appears to be a mix of a Santa Fe express boxcar and heavyweight horse car. Both of these wore green paint.

Here are links to prototypical models of Santa Fe express cars and a horse car.

Santa Fe Express Boxcars

Santa Fe Horse Car

That Lionel 3356 has been a real pain in the you know what for me. For the longest time I’ve been looking for a quality O-27 sized ATSF stockcar (by any manufacturer). But every time I’ve found one, they are either green, bright red, or have wildly applied Santa Fe graphics which take away from what otherwise would have been an accurate looking car. I suppose the standard ATSF stockcar is just too boring and likely won’t sell well in the O scale market [:slight_smile:]

Alas my search continues for the perfect O-27 Santa Fe stockcar.

3

I’ve got that same car. I don’t think some companies gave much thought to the prototypes back when those were made. Could be something as simple as they got a great deal on some green plastic pellets.