Concerning consists, it's helpful to consider how TOFC traffic developed on the Erie. The premier NY-Chicago hotshots were 99/100, established to provide second morning LCL service. When TOFC service began between those two cities, 99/100 were the logical trains to carry it. These trains continued to move LCL and forwarder traffic in boxcars well into EL years, so Erie didn't run pure TOFC consists, and neither did EL until the mid-60's when LCL was in rapid decline. This was different than say PRR, which inaugurated TOFC service in 1955 with dedicated schedules TT-1 and TT-2. The other relevant point here is that except with specialized container systems, much of this early intermodal traffic was Plan I (motor carrier) so these trailers were commonplace rather than exceptional. As a footnote, Erie was also one of four RR's using the GATX "Clejan" car (the others being SP, KCS and NH). I think this car was released in brass a number of years ago, so if you can find one or two of those it would make a neat addition to your Erie trains. Paul B Coincidentally, my next project is to get out the ones I bought and make an Erie pig train. My philosophy? - I'm going to weather the trailers and the flats and make my pig train, because I don't have the time to custom make a whole bunch of ribbed trailers and paint and letter them. I am going to mix in some other trailers besides the Erie ones to give a sense of life's lack of neatness. The Erie Lackawanna Mailing List Sponsored by the ELH&TS http://www.elhts.org ------------------------------
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