REA Logo

Very good question. Of course, I have no answer, but this gets me wondering if there was ever a book written on the history and operations of REA.

Vic Roseman has written a book on REA and RPC has published several srticles on REA.

Not sure about the SF, but in my limited research for my late 40s era layout it appeared REA did not start using the diamond logo until the mid-50s.  I would assume some of their older cars did not get the logo until even later than that.  The pictures you see of cars without the logo may be older pre-logo pictures.

 

Finding an REA O scale car without the logo has been a challenge.

V.S. Rosemon's soft cover book -Railway Express an Overview is out of print but well worth hunting for.  He states that the diamond herald scheme was adopted by REA in 1953.  Both AtlasO and Golden Gate Depot have offered 52' express reefers lettered in the 1929-1953 Pullman green sides, black roof and ends, no herald scheme.  AtlasO's model was of a wood sheathed car and GGD's a 1947 built steel plug door car.  GGD offered their car in both the as delivered silver green and red scheme, and in the later repaint back to the 1929-53 standard.  According to Mr. Roseman when the diamond herald scheme was introduced the green body color was changed to a color close to Hunter green.

 

Ed

Ed,

 

Thanks for the lead on the Atlas O car;  I'll look for it.  As you stated, REA's initial delivery of the 1947 52' steel plug door car was silver, green and red.  It was painted the 1929-53 standard in 1951 so that is too late for my era.  I have two of GGD's silver, green and red version of this car and they are really nice.