Hi everyone, this is my first post! I just got 2 of these n scale Athearn 40' SP trailers, and Athearn lists the era as 1960-1990. While the Fruehauf Z-Van may be appropriate during that time period, is this paint scheme? Can anyone tell me what era this paint scheme belongs to? Thanks!
Rough timeframe would be the mid-1960s; Volume 1 of the SP Color Guide has numerous company shots of trailers in that scheme dated "mid-1960s". An average trailer lifespan is about 10-15 years, after which it's either retired or relegated to company use. In a nutshell, it would be ok in front-line duty on a layout going up until the mid-late 1970s; any later than that, 45' trailers in SP's "Golden Pig Service" scheme would be more appropriate.
45' trailers didn't start into use in any numbers until the 1982/83 when 45' trailers were approved for use on the roadways. Based on that, I wouldn't think the 45' Golden Pig Service trailers made by Brae and Fruehauf began showing up until after 1982.
