I have an old photo of an RF&P Baggage-dormitory on the SCL's Silver Meteor in Miami around 1970. It had traded in it's Blue & Gray scheme for solid dull aluminum and a black roof. I later saw someone's color slide of a Lakeland-Naples Champion with an RF&P 10-6 "King" series Sleeper in the aluminum scheme, formerly Tuscan Red. Does anyone know when this repainting program began and how many of the RF&P cars (and car types) were affected. Thanks for any information. Happy New Year!

-- Bob Venditti (bobvend@bellsouth.net), December 30, 2001

Answers

Joe, my only photo of the B-D was taken with my dad's Kodak Insta- matic, and unfortunately chops off both ends of the car (before I understood the concept of "composition"). Not what I'd call a candidate for the 2003 Calendar, but it's a small miracle I've been able to hold onto it on this long.

-- Bob Venditti (bobvend@bellsouth.net), January 02, 2002.

You know what we need? PICTURES!

-- Joseph Oates (jlosal@mindspring.com), January 02, 2002.

Somewhere in the dark recesses of my mind I remember that the RF&P started to repaint its smooth sided equipment around 1969. Not too many cars were involved-the three 10 & 6 sleepers, the Baggage -dorm and the 4 70 seat coaches in the 840 series.

The baggage dorm car was the former diner-parlor "Virginia Dare". It was built in 1947 by ACF for a short lived daytime train between Washington and Richmond. The train did not last too long and the car was converted to a B-D in 1951.

The three sleepers were built as part of a joint PRR-N&W-RF&P order for cars in New York-Norfolk, and New York-Richmond service. They were the King George, King William and King and Queen, all named after counties in Virginia.

-- Mike Savchak (savchak@mnr.org), January 02, 2002.

Can't answer your question exactly.I have a slide of a RF&P B-D like you have (could be the same one) I shot at Tampa.I have seen the "King&Queen" and it was tuscan.The only possible answer,"COULD BE" maybe these cars were painted this way for the silver anniversary of the "Florida Special".

-- Joseph Oates (jlosal@mindspring.com), January 01, 2002.