I am playing with two schemes for VARR's new "Paper Express" Boxcar service. Option #1 (top) is in standard VARR Blue, with White Lettering and the new VARR White/Bright Orange Logo (Bright Orange shows up soooooo much better than the original Medium Grey IMO, on all of the VARR Standard colors.) The 2nd Option (bottom) is in VARR Light Grey, with Dark Blue Lettering and a Dark Blue/Bright Orange Logo. This scheme was specifically designed to set the VARR "Paper Express" service appart from standard "General Service" VARR Boxcars (and to add color to a somehwat "All Blue" fleet). Any and all opinions are highly encouraged and welcomed. Just don't be offended if I don't change them, LOL!!!!
I don't think there's any rule saying you can't have BOTH versions. If I were forced to decide, though, I think I like the gray version slightly better.
The gray car looks nice. Actually, they both are excellent! I like the white/orange logo somewhat more than the blue/orange. I do understand why they are different for the background colors..... About all you can do, is build a prototype, and see how it looks in reality. Under the layout lighting, etc. Boxcab E50
I think the gray would compliment the darker colors of your current roster nicely. Mix it up a bit! -Mike
Hey, They both look great! But why do you need cushion service for paper? Instead of paper,make it a reefer & haul those high $ loads. Mike
Just to be difficult, I'm going to vote for blue (see below...). And I'll agree that they both look good.
Just to mess with things, recall that railroads often coded service with a stripe on the door (subtle) or different-colored doors. In this vein, I would suggest the blue scheme with gray doors. It won't be that hard to paint (really!). Easy for your crews to find and properly handle a car that otherwise matches your fleet. Secondly, when railroads had new services or equipment, they would make sure everyone knew about it. "DF" for Damage Free Loaders and "CU" for cushion underframes were in big letters on the cars that had them. So how about "Paper Express" in orange letters the same size as "Virginia Atlantic" on the right?
Because the paper shippers demand cushion underframe cars, that's why. No cushion underframe, no load. They'll truck it first. I know from personal experience.
The orange does stand out well against the blue. Of theses designs the grey would stand out as exspress service. I like the idea of the door painted a contrasting color, and an gray door against the blue car would be enough difference to stand out. (Of course the exstream would be an orange door version.)
get the best of both worlds. Blue car with gray doors, gray car with blue doors. I also like Steamghost's idea of the " paper express" in large letters, sort of like SP " hydra cushion". Speaking of special orders, I could go for three box cars. Seeing that my Wisconsin Belt Terminal railway could use more paper service cars. Adios fer now, Wyatt
Thanks Thirdrail.I use to run the big rolls.They came off the boxcar onto my truck.I just never noticed it was a cushioned car.I always thought that paper went on the no-frills RailBoxes as of late.Mike
The blue car looks more like what you see every day - not too many gray cars. I also like it better, which is why I can rationalize it so well! The gray door you posted elsewhere makes the perfect combo, though! As for cushioned cars, I noticed that the LA Times Orange County plant got between 5 and 10 cars every morning (blue Golden West cars for the most part), and they were all cushioned. Here's a shot of the train as it's being spotted there:
