Here is a closeup of the likely recreated herald/monogram/logo on #503 in Griffith, IN.

I saw that one. But my initial research into the belt logo scheme on the 500s showed that the “CHICAGO OUTER BELT” lettering was a condensed Roman serif lettering, the belt turned up, “E.J.&E.RY.” should be white and italicized.

Also of note, the car body initials and number would be outlined.

Again, not an expert on The J and there may be exceptions.

Eric -

Yes, the EJ&E herald on the caboose at Griffith is incorrect as you pointed out. We've secured a good photo of the correct herald.


Les

Excellent. Can’t wait to see Mark’s finished art.

The photo of the logo at Griffith was recreated with lines and fonts from a computer program. It is an approximation at best, but it doesn't stand up when compared to the logo used by the EJ&E. Most of your visitors will not know what the EJ&E logo looked like, but they will be able to spot graphic design proportions and fonts that are different than anything currently used in the 21st century. In other words, it will look old and different - that is a good thing.

Once lettering or a logo is applied, many will assume that it is correct.

I suggest that it would be a good idea to wait until an official paint diagram can be located. The EJ&E fans / veterans will appreciate the effort and this is a good way to build bridges between this small but hearty group and HVRM.

There isn't a formal EJ&E historical society, but the following individuals and organizations have done much to preserve EJ&E history in recent years:

Blackhawk Railway Historical Society / Blackhawk Chapter NRHS - Contact Bill Molony:
https://www.blackhawkrailwayhistoricalsociety.org/

Railroad & Shortlines Club of Chicago formerly Shortlines of Chicago Historical Society:
http://rscc.dhke.com/

Website: http://www.ejearchive.com/

About 10 years ago, individuals from these groups collaborated with Division Point models to produce HO scale models of the EJ&E distinctive center-cab Baldwin locomotives. The research on paint lettering would help with the caboose - and it might make for an interesting interpretive exhibit at HVRM too.

Mark got the E. J. & E. lettering on both sides of the caboose this past week, as can be seen in the first photo. In the second shot, he is shown earlier today cleaning loose paint from one section of the 510's roof walk as member Bob Albert looks on.

Les

Here are a couple of additional photos from the work Mark did yesterday on EJ&E 510. He also asked the question concerning the original interior paint color. The current paint is a medium gray. I don't know if that was what the "J" originally used, but I seem to recall being in the interior of a sister preserved caboose that had brown paint. Can't recall where I was when I saw that caboose; possibly IRM? Anyway, does anyone know how the original interior paint color used on these 50 cabooses?

Thanks.

Les

Mark stated early last week, that he needed some help bolting down the roof walk sections of EJ&E 510 and I told him I'd give him a hand on Saturday. Didn't plan though, on seeing a temperature near 90 degrees F. That metal roof was hot! Anyway, here's a shot of Mark tightening down one of the bolts. We got the job done!

Les

Mark recently finished the painting/lettering on Elgin, Joliet & Eastern caboose # 510. Photos of both sides of the finished car are included below. We still need to fix the broken windows before we can return the car to service on our passenger trains.

Les

Nice! Tell Mark that looks great.

Not to hijack the thread here, but what's the history of the Perdue University rail crane in the background?

Seems to be the last thing I would image a modern university needing. What did they use it for?

Lifting things would be my guess.

adammil1 -

Purdue University had two power plants on their campus at West Lafayette, Indiana. Each plant had a self propelled Orton crane assigned to it to take rail delivered coal from stocked piles, to the plants as needed. Our crane is Orton s/n 44596 built in 1945 with a gas engine. Purdue eventually purchased the second similar crane, except it had a Detroit Diesel for power. The universities coal crews liked the diesel better, and eventually put a Detroit Diesel in our crane. When the older power plant was taken out of service for university expansion, our crane became surplus and was donated to Hoosier Valley, where it has come in very handy through the years for various museum projects.

Les

After Mark painted Elgin, Joliet & Eastern caboose # 510 last year back into its original EJ&E paint scheme, we could not use it on our passenger trains due to a couple of broken windows and a bad wheel set. The windows quickly got fixed but it wasn't until this month that the bad wheel/axle set was replaced. This past Saturday (9/24/22), EJ&E made its first appearance on our diesel-powered trains to English Lake. Here is a photo of number 510 sitting at the depot prior to its first westbound run.

Les

Looks pretty snazzy, Les. And if your train was pulled by one of your TWO SD9s, Lord have mercy !!!