I just picked up a pair or Atlas Trainman cars, Thrall 4750 covered hoppers marked for Milwaukee Road, but they’re red (darn close match to SOO red) with a white sash on one end. The road #'s are 80336 and 80325. When in the world did MILW run this paint scheme? How many were there? What road # series? If the car data decals are correct they are marked TC-82 (Tacoma?) with a build date of looks to be 1-81. There is also a stencil marked “THIS CAR LINED WITH DOUBLE-COVER POLYCLUTCH”
In my opinion these are great little cars. There are a few detail discrepancy’s, but when the cars being used on the layout, or the average person for that matter, would most likely not notice them, especially in small N scale. In fact, I think a little bit of weathering to make it look dirty would make these look excellent. Another project, another weekend. Of course, now I’m thinking of a shortline with a paint scheme matching these cars. Me and my darn head.
I suspect that they are former ‘lease’ cars that MILW picked up for a good price. Normally they would be in either Federal Yellow or Grey. IIRC, MILW also picked up some Blue box cars that were part of a cancelled order by someone else.
I remember seeing these so I’m sure the paint scheme is correct. I recall around 1978-80 the MN&S had some cars painted something like this too. Maybe the cars were meant for some specific service where they were to be kept separate from other covered hoppers??
The paint scheme is that of the Transportation Corporation of America. These particular cars probably represent cars that Milwaukee Road either leased or picked up secondhand from TCAX.
I’ve seen lots of cars in this paint scheme in recent years remarked for FURX and NOKL.
