Would you buy an REA reefer without the big red diamond?

Yes, I did. Peeking out behind my switcher is a Weaver converted troop sleeper in REA livery. No red diamond in sight...

Gilly@N&W posted:

Yes, I did. Peeking out behind my switcher is a Weaver converted troop sleeper in REA livery. No red diamond in sight...

Tom, thanks.  Forgot about the Weaver converted troop sleeper. REA had a 100 of those.  Just looked for one and did not see any available.

Checked for an Atlas one and it looks like they did not do a converted troop sleeper in the older REA paint scheme.  They must really like that red diamond.

I would only purchase one if it had the red diamond. 

Jim, If you only run trains from the 60s and later, that makes sense.  And you are lucky; there must be a gazillion REA model rail cars made with the red diamond

CAPPilot posted:

...(Note: GGD did produce their 54' steel reefer in this scheme, but that car was painted that way in 1951 and quickly repainted to the red diamond scheme in 1953.)

REA had many reefers of this type painted in the 1929-1953 scheme, and many maintained this paint scheme into the 60s.  However, there are very few REA cars from any model manufacturer with the pre-53 scheme (no red diamond).  It seems like the pre-53 scheme would be appreciated by modelers as being something different but also common at least through the 50s (okay, I'm biased since my layout is pre-1950).

I would like to know if there is interest in the pre-53 paint scheme for this car.  If there is, maybe we can get Atlas to produce one.

GGD unlettered heavyweight baggage car and GGD REA reefer leased from the Santa Fe.

GGD REA 54' reefer. 

Weaver reefer repainted to an REA car leased from the Santa Fe.  

REX 5304 fresh from the paint shop.

John in Lansing, ILL

How about American Railway Express which became REA ?

These ARE cars from Atlas are available.

ARE became REA in 1929.  By the time of my layout era (1949) that paint scheme was long gone.  That is a nice looking reefer for those that model multiple eras.

REA had several different types of reefers, baggage cars, and boxcars that they owned or leased in the 1929-53 paint scheme.  It seems like one of the current manufacturers could produce one from their current model inventory.  REA had over 600 reefers similar to the Atlas GACC reefer which is why I'd like to see this one done again in the pre-53 scheme.

However, as seen by a post above, the 1929-1953 paint scheme isn't flashy enough.  The red diamond didn't even last a decade before REA went to the simpler "X" herald (large white X).

I would buy pre-1953 REA cars.

I'd buy a couple

Since I model the transition period I'd be in for one maybe two if they were priced under $75.00 ea.  

Ron,  We could get out the paints, mix until we have a matching Pullman Green and apply.  If we're within two or three percent of the car's color a little bit of road dust ought to mask the different tone.  John

John,

I'm an electrical and mechanical engineer, not an artist.  I'd have to buy the car and send it to someone to get it correctly painted and lettered, making them kind of expensive.  Atlas did a great job of the pre-'53 paint scheme on their first run of GACC reefers.  Would have been nice to have seen some more from them.

I started this topic to get a discussion on the older REA color scheme to let the manufacturers know there is a market for it.  I'll also follow up on emails to their marketing departments.

I'd like to see it made again in the pre-1953 scheme and take a couple.

russ

Thanks for posting.  Interesting, educational, history on REA cars, and appropriate eras,. Looks like red diamond came after my modeled 1940 period. Surprise!

Ron,  I mislead you.  I meant to paint over the red square on point logo, then weather the car.  Or make a rectangular 'patch' of paint where a repair after a sideswipe would have been done. John

John,

That may work.  The post ‘53 Hunter Green paint is more green and lighter than the dark Pullman green of the pre ‘53 cars but probably close enough.  Lettering is a little different too.  Hmmm.

I have found Lowe’s does a good job of matching paint on a couple of models that needed touch up.  Kind of expensive though for paint that will probably not be used again.  With me doing it, it would definitely look like a repaired spot.

Weaver offering many years ago.

No.

Pat

No, but I may have one or more old Scalecraft (or other brands) ones in the plain scheme.

CAPPilot posted:

John,    I have found Lowe’s does a good job of matching paint on a couple of models that needed touch up.  Kind of expensive though for paint that will probably not be used again.  With me doing it, it would definitely look like a repaired spot.

Ron,  I use latex paint offered in small squeezable bottles.  Ten drops of black, one of blue and one of yellow ought to get you pretty close to Pullman Green.  Adjust as necessary and for less than three dollars you'll get the job done and have three almost full bottles for future projects.  John

rattler21 posted:

CAPPilot posted:

John,    I have found Lowe’s does a good job of matching paint on a couple of models that needed touch up.  Kind of expensive though for paint that will probably not be used again.  With me doing it, it would definitely look like a repaired spot.

Ron,  I use latex paint offered in small squeezable bottles.  Ten drops of black, one of blue and one of yellow ought to get you pretty close to Pullman Green.  Adjust as necessary and for less than three dollars you'll get the job done and have three almost full bottles for future projects.  John

Thanks 

I really like the plain scheme and was fortunate enough to pick up 2 over a couple of years.     However, I don't think I would buy another unless it were really cheap.     The reason is I have about 20 express cars running now and it pretty much fills up my operating scheme, so I just don't need anymore.     I am also fortunately that Weaver did a number of versions of B60s and MTH did a very R50B express reefer, both of which are Pennsy prototypes.

Jim,

I know what you mean about having plenty of express cars.  I have a lot of those B60s and R50s as well as many AtlasO X-29 Express Boxcars, all in paint schemes good for 1949.  One day I sat back and looked at all my Pennsy express cars (about 40) and realized I only had a couple express cars from other roads.  So now I'm looking only for non-Pennsy express cars, especially REA.  GGD did their 54' steel reefer in the as delivered ACL 1948  purple scheme - I really want one of those.