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Hi folks,

 

I recently picked up two undecorated Osgood-Bradley coaches with four wheel trucks.

I am certain I do not know if this type of coach was ever used for troop transport but

I would like to paint them the appropriate green color (or a prototypical color that you

might suggest) and apply appropriate decals.

 

Could someone help me with several things?

 

1) If I use these coaches for troop transport, what would the appropriate color be?

2) Could someone suggest US ARMY decals, or the appropriate decals for troop transport

    coaches. Perhaps there never were any coaches that said US Army. Perhaps they were just

    Pullmans or some other manufacturer.

 

In any case, I am coming up on the empty side with my research.

 

Many thanks to all who pitch in.

 

Eliot

Original Post

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Eliot,

 

Not sure about color (OD Green or Flat Black) but these decals could give you the look similar to the K-line troop cars Don referred to.  They are indicated for HO scale diesels but the white UNITED STATES ARMY lettering and the transportation corp symbol may work well for what you would like to do.  The only O scale decals offered by Microscale with UNITED STATES ARMY are these but it is printed in yellow.

 

Larry

Last edited by L.J.

Eliot from my NYCRR reference material. Hope it helps.

 

Between December, 1941 and June, 1945 U.S. railroads carried almost 44 million armed services personnel. As there were not enough cars and coaches available to meet the massive need for troop transit created by World War II, in late 1943 the U.S. Office of Defense Transportation contracted with the Pullman Company to build 2,400 troop sleepers, and with American Car and Foundry (ACF) to build 440 troop kitchen cars.[1]

This new rolling stock was either converted from existing boxcars or built from scratch based on Association of American Railroads (AAR) standard 50'-6" single-sheathed steel boxcar designs, and were constructed entirely out of steel with heavily reinforced ends. In some instances baggage cars were converted into temporary kitchen cars before ACF could complete its order.[2] The cars were painted the standard Pullman Green and affixed with gold lettering. Along the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's (ATSF) "Surf Line," trains consisting of 10-12 former Southern Pacific interurban trailer cars, owned by the U.S. Maritime Commission but bearing ATSF markings, were fitted with conventional knuckle couplers at each end of the trainset and pressed into service to handle the additional passenger loads.[3]

Equipped with special Allied Full Cushion high-speed swing-motion trucks, Pullman troop sleepers were designed to be fully interchangeable with all other passenger equipment. The units came equipped with end doors similar to those found on standard railway cars, but had no vestibules.[4] Loading and unloading of passengers was accomplished via wide doors positioned on each side at the center of the cars with built-in trap doors and steps. Light and ventilation was provided by ten window units mounted on each side, each equipped with rolling black out shades and wire mesh screens.

Troop sleepers, generally intended for use by enlisted personnel, were equipped with bunks stacked 3-high, and slept 29 servicemen plus the Pullman porter. Every passenger was provided with a separate Pullman bed, complete with sheets and pillowcases that were changed daily. The berths were laid out in a cross-wise arrangement that placed the aisle along one side of the car, as opposed to down the center. Though the upper berths were fixed, the middle and lower sections could be reconfigured into seating during the daytime. Weapon racks were provided for each group of berths. Four washstands (two mounted at each end of the car) delivered hot and cold running water. The cars also came outfitted with two enclosed toilets and a drinking watercooler.[5]

Contrary to popular belief, the Army didn't have many dedicated coaches. They had hospital cars, though. Those were indeed painted OD green.

The color of OD green used in WW2 was very different than the shade used today. It was also a semi-gloss and not a flat paint. It was more yellow-y than current shades. Right after WW2, they went to a very dark color by comparison.

If you're painting a model of anything from WW2, I suggest using the best current match for the WW2 shade of OD green possible (paint code is 23070): http://www.rapcoparts.com/spraypaint.html

I've never seen ANY hobby paint that comes even close to the correct shade of OD green.

And just in case anyone wonders how I know all this stuff: http://www.freewebs.com/willysmb44/willysmb366014.htm

 

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