I thought it might be interesting to see if anyone shoots heralds up close. Here's a few of mine: ATSF caboose: MP hopper: CRP on a SOO hopper: Whatcha Got?
ATSF 999727 at the Williams, AZ Depot, beautifully restored by the Grand Canyon Railway folks. This is the only close-up of a herald I have - yet.
Kurt, kinda cheated on that one. I found it on small town park caboose that was "rebuilt" from the frame up. The original ends are still in place, though, and the herald was still visable behind a bush. I think it came up to be GNX 536, and is located a few miles away from this tourist train:
A Katy boxcar in the UP historical collection in Cheyenne (turned into a large modified tool shed in 2005) wore this herald:
I have heard of these. They are called "trademark" logos or shields or something like that. In theory, all prior trade marks that are to be protected are on at least one company car. That way no one can say the logo was "retired" or is no longer used. It's not unique to railroads to do that. I guess there is an SP, WP, T&NO, etc. herald somewhere.