An N-11E transfer caboose, still in its original Penn Central Deepwater Green paint scheme is westbound out of Lancaster, having just come off the Columbia Branch. The crewman on the leading platform of No. 18595 is undoubtedly planning his switching moves in the Columbia Yard. There were 75 N-11s and 75 N-11Es built in 1969 and 1970 by the PC at their ex-NYC Despatch Shops in East Rochester. (PC 18450-18599) Note the colorful bar code-like "KarTrak" placard under the window. This was an early attempt at "automatic car identification," implemented in the early 1970s and discontinued by 1978 or so. The main problem with KarTrak was that the placards became dirty with road grime, making them unreadable by the lineside scanners. The AAR tried to institute a maintenance (cleaning) program, but insufficient compliance by the railroads led to KarTrak's ultimate demise.
Not
just heritage schemes, not just commemorative schemes - this album is devoted to some of the world's most interesting paint schemes, past or present.
