I'm no expert, but I would say sixties into the Amtrak merger. Paint looks possibly later. I'm sort of guessing here.
geeky, I believe yours is a good estimate. I saw commuter trains in this scheme as early as 1969, but RI did not sign on to Amtrak and ran their own intercity passenger trains for a few more years. Their commuter service would have been assumed by the RTA (later named METRA) in 1974. FWIW RI bought 20 double deckers in 1965 and 10 more in 1970. When the RTA took over, they supplemented RI's commuter fleet with additional double decker cars.
1970? I have the "Chicagoland Commuter Railroads" book by Patrick Dorin. The Rock bought Budd co bi-levels in 1965, possibly added to a Milwaukee Road order. They may be stainless similar to CB&Q cars. The Rock bought Pullman Standard cars in 1970,added to a C&NW order. It appears the red/yellow scheme was applied to those cars. THey did and you can mix RI stainless & painted cars. The RTA purchased the Rock's commuter assets in 1982. The RTA bought 28 F40's with 21 assigned to RI in 1977, replacing the Rock's E's & other motley collection of power.
Great info. It confirmed what I wasn't sure of. I had quessed that they were mid 1960's innercity commuter type of cars. I also thought the colors were from that era as well. I was just wondering, because I was considering buying a couple of these cars, even tho I didn't think they fit my era (mid 1950s). Besides, the color of these cars ARE bright, and probably would draw the eye on the layout, but, ugly as heck, lol.. Im not crazy about them, but thought I might pick up a couple I have seen on ebay, just because I am a RI kinda dude.. :tb-cool: Thanks for the info. I had seen a couple pictures on the internet of prototypes simalar to this, but no real info on them. Thanks again. T
If I recall correctly, the red/yellow scheme was first applied to diesels being shopped just after the mid-1960's. So, some date after that for commuter cars. Boxcab E50
The first CB&Q Budd gallery cars appeared in 1950. By 1965 they had 88 coaches. More arrived thru 1978. C&NW & Pullman Standard came in 1955, with 280 cars by 1971. Both roads used steam power to pull them till the steamers were bumped by diesels. The point here is a healthy CRIP could have bought gallery cars in the 1950's.
If you ever feel the urge to 'Ride the Rock' the Texas State Railroad has about eight of the single-level ex-Rock Island commuter coaches as the backbone of the excursion fleet. They are being reconditioned and repainted this year, but are still red with yellow lettering and a black roof.
I bet a nickel that this is a Con-Cor car.... I believe that this is a "gallery car" where the second level has an open area between the second level & the first level. Two seats per side with a narrow walkway seperated by this open area. Commuter cars...
Does anyone recall the first year this scheme was applied to an engine? Seems like it was on a GP7? During CRP? Boxcab E50
Im not sure, but I think sometimes in the 1960s. I have an MTL FT with this paint theme, but I am pretty sure it is newer than my era, nor ever on an FT. Please don't tell the proto police tho, I don't wanna go back to proto jail. Im on probation already... :mconfused:
According to Bill Marvel in Rock Island in Color Vol. II the bright red scheme was considered "new" in March of 1970. A photo of brand new GE's delivered in January 1969 shows them in the previous richer red scheme, so the change had to occur sometime between those dates. I need to backtrack a bit on what I said before: the earliest color slide I took of the new scheme gallery cars was taken in March of 1970, not in 1969 as I had mentioned. (664 is ex-UP.)
