X'ed patched cars

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

When did the private patched cars start to become popular? I’m guessing the mid to late 1970’s and into the 1980’s with all of the foldings, mergers and the general decline in rail traffic but that’s just a guess. Anyone have a better idea or answer?

Thanks in advance

ratled

2

i think you have the timing about right.

i believe it came about when the bean counters realized that customers were more interested in service than the color of the equipment.

railroad used to waste counless $$$$ repainting everything when they merged.

grizlump