01-04-2010, 07:28 PM
Ralph, here is some more info from MR's "Detailing Freight Cars."
The COTS labels first appeared in 1972. They were single black panels with a white border. In 1974, two panel plates became mandatory with a deadline date of 1979.
ACI plates came out in 1967 and were an automated method of keeping track of car locations. The deadline date for installation was 1970. After a few years, due to the accumulation of dirt and grime, the system proved unusable because of scanner mistakes. After 1977, cars were no longer required to have the plates, but of course, nobody removed the existing ones. So the ACI plates may have been seen on cars for years after the system was mothballed.
Wheel inspection dots appreared in 1978. A certain "brand" of wheel was found to be defective, and all railroads had to inspect their cars for the wheels. If the bad wheels were found, a white dot was put on, and the car was restricted in service until the wheels were replaced. Cars built after 1980 won't have the dot. Of course, the dots persisted well into the 80s because again, the railroads did not remove the dots. At least they didn't remove the yellow dots. The white ones would have been restenciled yellow once the wheels were replaced.
So, looks like your caboose wouldn't have the dots, and may or may not have the COTS plates... depends on if you are post or pre-1972.
But, I still like the idea of the reflective squares to dress it up a bit.
The COTS labels first appeared in 1972. They were single black panels with a white border. In 1974, two panel plates became mandatory with a deadline date of 1979.
ACI plates came out in 1967 and were an automated method of keeping track of car locations. The deadline date for installation was 1970. After a few years, due to the accumulation of dirt and grime, the system proved unusable because of scanner mistakes. After 1977, cars were no longer required to have the plates, but of course, nobody removed the existing ones. So the ACI plates may have been seen on cars for years after the system was mothballed.
Wheel inspection dots appreared in 1978. A certain "brand" of wheel was found to be defective, and all railroads had to inspect their cars for the wheels. If the bad wheels were found, a white dot was put on, and the car was restricted in service until the wheels were replaced. Cars built after 1980 won't have the dot. Of course, the dots persisted well into the 80s because again, the railroads did not remove the dots. At least they didn't remove the yellow dots. The white ones would have been restenciled yellow once the wheels were replaced.
So, looks like your caboose wouldn't have the dots, and may or may not have the COTS plates... depends on if you are post or pre-1972.
But, I still like the idea of the reflective squares to dress it up a bit.
Three Foot Rule In Effect At All Times