There is a photo of two cars on page 85 of New York Central Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment [Volume 1], by David R. Sweetland and Robert J. Yanosey – Morning Sun Books 1994
It clearly shows two blue box cars with road numbers 92102 and 220539. Unfortunately the caption seems confused. It indicates that these cars are identical – from a lot of two built by ACF in 1957, then purchased by NYC from the C&O. Those cars were both 50’ cars. The cars in the photo are different from one another. One fits the description, but the other is clearly a 40’ car and not as tall as the 50’ car. The caption goes on to mention road numbers NYC 92102 and 92101, which don’t match the numbers in the photo. Also strange, Lot number 881B seems to be the correct one for two 50’ steel box cars purchased from the C&O, but indicates they were numbered NYC 92100 and 92101. Some more snooping on the CASO web site shows 500 40’ cars numbered in the 220500-220599 series in Lot 585B. Details probably vary as these cars may have been renumbered from more than one original lot and may have had modifications made since being built.
So what is the history of these two cars? Car 92102 may have been one of the C&O cars, but was it renumbered yet again when repainted in the experimental blue scheme? Did it revert to its original number a few months later when repainted once more in the newly-adopted Century green color? And what of 40’ car 220539? How was it confused with the two 50’ cars from the C&O? Here is more from the CASO web site:
Lot 841B is not the correct citation for car 92102.
Lot 881B is correct for the two cars bought from the C&O
They were built by ACF in 1957, have 4/4 ends and flat panel roof
These were numbered 92100-92101, 50’ 6” IL, 9’ single door.
Height 15’ 1” over running boards, CAPY 4967, 50 ton, 2 cars
Could one of these have been renumbered 92102 when repainted blue?
For car 220539….
Lot 585B is 40’ 6” all steel auto box car with end doors
Height 14’ 5 ½ “ over running boards, CAPY 3544, 55 ton, 500 cars
Trouble is it shows a 12’ door opening (maybe variations according to remarks – which are not included)
Car pictured on CASO web site and in book clearly has single door.
In photo, end of car looks flat, not ribbed, no end door.
There are five panels to left of door – can’t see right side.
For car 92102….
--Mike K.
It clearly shows two blue box cars with road numbers 92102 and 220539. Unfortunately the caption seems confused. It indicates that these cars are identical – from a lot of two built by ACF in 1957, then purchased by NYC from the C&O. Those cars were both 50’ cars. The cars in the photo are different from one another. One fits the description, but the other is clearly a 40’ car and not as tall as the 50’ car. The caption goes on to mention road numbers NYC 92102 and 92101, which don’t match the numbers in the photo. Also strange, Lot number 881B seems to be the correct one for two 50’ steel box cars purchased from the C&O, but indicates they were numbered NYC 92100 and 92101. Some more snooping on the CASO web site shows 500 40’ cars numbered in the 220500-220599 series in Lot 585B. Details probably vary as these cars may have been renumbered from more than one original lot and may have had modifications made since being built.
So what is the history of these two cars? Car 92102 may have been one of the C&O cars, but was it renumbered yet again when repainted in the experimental blue scheme? Did it revert to its original number a few months later when repainted once more in the newly-adopted Century green color? And what of 40’ car 220539? How was it confused with the two 50’ cars from the C&O? Here is more from the CASO web site:
Lot 841B is not the correct citation for car 92102.
Lot 881B is correct for the two cars bought from the C&O
They were built by ACF in 1957, have 4/4 ends and flat panel roof
These were numbered 92100-92101, 50’ 6” IL, 9’ single door.
Height 15’ 1” over running boards, CAPY 4967, 50 ton, 2 cars
Could one of these have been renumbered 92102 when repainted blue?
For car 220539….
Lot 585B is 40’ 6” all steel auto box car with end doors
Height 14’ 5 ½ “ over running boards, CAPY 3544, 55 ton, 500 cars
Trouble is it shows a 12’ door opening (maybe variations according to remarks – which are not included)
Car pictured on CASO web site and in book clearly has single door.
In photo, end of car looks flat, not ribbed, no end door.
There are five panels to left of door – can’t see right side.
For car 92102….
--Mike K.
Modeling the NYC of the 1950s
