western maryland

[dcpauls]

what year did the westeren maryland  railroad start with  "speed lettering"

[richg]

what year did the westeren maryland  railroad start with  "speed lettering"

From a Google search. Looks like the late 1950's.

http://tinyurl.com/cmgfx44

Rich

[railtwister]

Hi dcpauls,

Actually, according to Jack Brown's book, "WM Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment", the new 'Speed' scheme was first tried as an experimental scheme using 5 stripes on a channel ribbed hopper in November 1952. The design came about after a new president (Arthur Grotz) took over in May 1952, and wanted a new look for the RR. The Speed scheme was developed by his brother, Walter, who was the art director for a New York ad agency, Marschack & Pratt. The original 5 stripes were changed to four stripes and was officially adopted in February 1953, then started showing up on the road after that. The 'Fast Freight' circle scheme didn't disappear immediately, it lasted for several years after 1953, but was mostly gone by the sixties. WM seems to have taken better care of their equipment during those years than many other RR's did.

Bill in FtL

[dcpauls]

to Bill in FtL

Thanks for your reply, Your information was quite usefull


dcpauls