PAN AM mec blue and black box cars

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

Just saw some blue and black PAN AM boxcars today on CP’s D&H Line in Nescopeck PA. Anyone have any information on them? Thanks Bob

2

Here’s a pic

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=100488&PHPSESSID=9e782a365ee8f480c811437a478dfdc0

Pan Am Railways web site

3

Seeing an airline logo attributed to a defunct carrier applied to a boxcar begs the question, “What’s wrong with this picture?”

Still, it’s a handsome color scheme! But it’s too bad it won’t last. As soon as one of those boxcars hits California watch out: Graffiti City is everywhere!

4

I’m given to understand that New York has its share of graffiti too. Likely that the cars will make it that far south before they get out here. [;)]

5

Information on the cars?

They’re just Maine Central or Boston & Maine box cars (haven’t seen any other type yet) repainted in the holding company’s latest incarnation–not relettered or renumbered. Most of the ones I’ve seen have been MEC cars, so far.

I have noticed that the two sides are painted differently from each other–one side has large “Pan Am” lettering surrounding the logo; the other does not. Not sure of the exact details; my photographic memory isn’t what it used to be, and my photographic abilities haven’t improved, either.

6

There was a thread about this a couple months ago way back a gazillion pages. ANyway I think the gist of what’s going on is Guilford is trying to keep it’s trademarks active or something so they’re applying the Pan-Am name to rail equipment.

7

Exactly - the parent company bought the Pan Am trademark and given its value (still one of the most famous names in aviaition history) wants to keep it active (legally trademarks are only protected if they are used and if unused will become abandoned). Same reason why Chevron keeps at least one station as a Standard in each state where they have the rights to the Standard name - they don’t want to abandon a storied trademark.

Some railroad should take over the Braniff mark - they had some attractive airplane paint schemes - could make for some nice railcars.

8

Thanks for the replies. I’m new in this forum. Looks good.