lettering for SSW’s 1923-25 wood double-sheathed 8’-6” IH boxcars

The St. Louis Southwestern Railroad received 2,500 cars built between 1923 to 1925 as follows:
 

Series 31000-31499, 500 cars, American Car & Foundry, Lot 9498, delivered September 1923 - 8’-6” IH, 7-7 Murphy ends

Series 31500-31999, 500 cars, American Car & Foundry, Lot 9727, delivered May 1924 - 8’-6” IH, 7-7 Murphy ends

Series 32000-32499, 500 cars, Mt. Vernon Car Co, delivered March 1924, 7-7 Murphy ends

Series 32500-33499, 1,000 cars, Mt. Vernon Car Co, delivered 1925, 7-7 Murphy ends
 

Between 1933-38, SSW’s Pine Bluff, Arkansas shops began the height extension program by increasing the IH to 10’-2”, making them the tallest wood boxcars

in America. Capacity was increased from 2933 to 3499 cubic feet, a signicant increase in potential revenue. Rebuilt cars were renumbered into 36000-38499

series. Not all were modified. By 1953, there were still 357 cars in revenue service with the as-delivered 8’-6“ IH dimensions with the original series number. See

decal set SSW-1b for the extended height lettering.

 

Paint & Lettering: Cars were painted SSW’s freight car medium red/brown: TCP-923. As delivered from the builders, the cars came with a 62” wide monogram;

after extending the IH to 10’-2” the cars received the same lettering, new numbers and a smaller 55” wide monogram.

 

Decal set designed and created at Protocraft Decals

Printed by Microscale Industries