Seaboard Air Line lettering for 1932 ARA boxcars - as delivered, 1945, 1954 and 1959

In 1934, the Seaboard took delivery of 1,000 1932 ARA box cars from Pullman, and assigned road numbers 17000-17999. The “as-delivered” lettering scheme is shown in the builder’s photo above on car #17438 with the 40” herald. Within 4 years the “Orange Blossom Special” slogan was added to promote the road’s new crack passenger train. In 1937, they received 1,000 more from Pullman, numbered 18000-18999. These all had the “Orange Blossom Special” painted on the side. In 1945 a larger 56” herald appeared during repainting. The “Silver Meteor” slogan replaced the “Orange Blossom Special” in 1954-55. In 1959, the original 40” round herald was reintroduced and “SEABOARD” above the road number was shortened to “SAL”. (see Protocraft decal sheet SAL-3 for the Silver Meteor scheme) Seaboard painted their box cars a red-brown: 1 part Floquil #74 and 1 part #186; underbody coated with black car cement. This lettering sheet was designed and sized at Protocraft Decals with artwork and lettering by Ted Culotta.