"US Mail - RPO"

[NS VIA FAN]

The lettering was brushed-out years ago, but if you look hard you can still read “United States Mail Railway Post Office” below the window band.

Car was in service today on VIA's w/b Ocean.......I believe it's xUP.

[John_Perkowski]

It's almost certainly former Union Pacific. They ordered 9 cars from Budd in 1963, the flat panel is typical of later Budd construction.

In fact, according to Don Strack's Utahrails.net site, six cars were sold from UP to VIA in 1993:
UP 5903 to MofW 903685 in 1973; to VIA 8622 in 1993
UP 5905 to MofW 903687 in 1973; to VIA 8623 in 1993
UP 5906 to MofW 903688 in 1973; to VIA 8621 in 1993
UP 5907 to MofW 903689 in 1973; to VIA 8618 in 1993
UP 5909 to MofW 903691 in 1973; to VIA 8619 in 1993
UP 5910 to MofW 904287; to VIA 8620 in 1993

Click here to see UP 5908, a sister, now restored in static museum display in Council Bluffs.

[NS VIA FAN]

It's almost certainly former Union Pacific. They ordered 9 cars from Budd in 1963, the flat panel is typical of later Budd construction.

In fact, according to Don Strack's Utahrails.net site, six cars were sold from UP to VIA in 1993:
UP 5909 to MofW 903691 in 1973; to VIA 8619 in 1993

Thanks for your post......its 8619



And a surprise for me in your link to UP5908.....I always thought UP painted everything Armour Yellow including the Stainless-Steel panels.....not just the letter-board.

[John_Perkowski]

SFAIK, this was the one exception to the rule. The Budd coaches, same year, IIRC were in full color scheme.

In fact, Here is a 1968 picture of UP5516 in full color

[ex Budd man]

Budd didn't like to paint its cars but the customer is always right. The PRR insisted on tuscan red until the Congressional. The stainless steel had to roughened up to hold the paint which took more time during manufacturing. Today the use of 'peel and stick' graphics makes it easier to change logos and such without too much effort.