CARPACK

 Last week saw a string of cars waiting to be delivered to Pete's Plastics. This week, we'll take a closer look at these and a few other cars...

CEFX 500589 is now working for its fourth owner! Originally owned by the Bangor and Aroostook, it and its sisters were then sold to the Wisconsin Central, becoming the property of Canadian National when it bought the WC. Now owned by CIT Group/Capital Leasing, the graffiti has been painted over (for now).

ITFX 501222 is another car with multiple owners. Now owned by Infinity Transportation, LLC., it, too, has graffiti painted out. (Note: this car is a "stand-in"; the real ITFX 501222 has single, large plug doors, not twin sliding doors.)

SPCX 930 is a Thrall 5750 cuft. carbon black hopper car, still in it's original 80's paint! The FRA-224 required reflective safety striping has been added to the sides, to improve the visibility of the car in low-light conditions. 

DOWX 66122 is an ACF plastic pellet hopper. Unlike the other three cars, this one has plenty of graffiti on its sides. Normally, Pete's would be getting a string of hoppers, but there is only one here as it has a different type of plastic from what they normally use -these cars are for a test order of cup holders, as the company looks to expand its product line to stay competitive in an ever-changing markerplace.

MRT 76125 is another hopper car still in it's original 80's paint. Time, weather, and graffiti have taken their toll.

TTMX 80636 is an aging 68' flatcar that is nearing retirement after 50 years of service. Until then, it continues to work; it will soon be sent to Wilson Steel for a load, along with those gons behind it loaded with shredded scrap steel.