lettering set for Universal Cement 1923 ARA design steel boxcars - original paint scheme

Universal Portland Cement Company of Gary, Indiana, a US Steel subsidiary, received 300, X-29 clone 8’-7” IH design cars from American Car

& Foundry, Lot 9577, in 1923. In 1930, with the merger of UPC and Atlas Cement, became Universal Atlas Cement Company. In 1933, 218 cars

were sold to the Northampton & Bath Railroad, who continued to ship cement, and 65 cars were sold to Hannibal Connecting. The remaining

cars stayed with Universal Atlas.

 

For a comprehensive study of individual car numbers it is best to consult the charts in Ed Hawkins and Pat Wider’s RP CYC , Vol 21, page 90.

 

Paint & Lettering: sides are gray. Ends, roof underframe and truck side frames coated with black car cement. Lettering is red, black and white.