Here are two. Only Sou 74505 is properly IDd. I took the photo at Andover, VA 10-2-87. Another photo, Sou 74285, may (!!) have faded green lettering Ike

I always assumed that it was a search for a lettering color which would provide contrast on the TV screens in spite of any overcoating's of dust and grime. Sorry to speculate, but after assuming this

Because the covered hopper were first purchased for different commodities, I have always assumed that maybe the stencil colors on them were to show what they were supposed to carry. The problem with

George, You sparked my interest with the grey 70ton hoppers with black lettering. Might you provide some pictures fo these? James Wall Rural Hall, NC

I would add the Magor hoppers as well. Curt Fortenberry

Scott: For years, I have looked at stencil drawings, specifications and memos to find a “clue” to explain the different stencil colors on the Silversides, covered hoppers and the grey 70-ton

What were the different colors used to letter the Silversides? (The aluminum coal gons.) I gather the colors had meanings, either for which power company they hauled coal for or which subsidiary

Warren, that pretty well agrees with what I've heard and read. Siskin bought the TAG basically to give the Southern the single-finger salute. And apparently did so successfully. Bob Hanson Loganville,

Southern only began to pay the TAG any real attention after WW2. TAG traffic levels increased after the war and as the TAG's primary northern outlet from Chattanooga this miffed Southern. Because as

Ike: This is a very interesting letter to read and if you come up with more it would help answer some questions that I have. Mike

The flea market. WDS

Warren, thanks for the information on the TAG. Looking forward to seeing you book someday. Other than watching the TAG and the AGS, not sure why you would visit Collinsville. Hope to talk to you

From what I've read and heard, the TAG's relationship with the Southern was not all beer and skittles, either. The TAG made a living by short-hauling the Southern. It paralleled the AGS for its

Very true Bob but his loyalty remained with Southern. He had a big part in persuading Mr. Siskin to sell the profitable TAG to Southern. Some people with secondhand knowledge claim that the Siskins

Macon Tolleson was one of Brosnan victims. I don't recall if he quit or was fired, but he is one of the many capable men lost to the Southern due to Brosnan's whims. The gory details are in the

I left out one local owner. C. E. James. He built the railroad with Sage money and later bought it for himself. When James passed his son sold to the Chambliss syndicate. Mr. James also built the

How many pleasant Saturday mornings I have spent at Collinsville. You will of course know why but we’ll leave the rest to wonder. I still go over there at least once a year. As for the picture,

As for who ran the TAG, the TAG had a series of absentee owners. The investor Russell Sage, the railroad investor Newman Erb and the Coverdale syndicate. Only Siskin and earlier the Chambliss

Mose was on the board of directors but his brother Garrison owned the TAG. There is a document in the SRHA archives which lays out pre Southern ownership. Some stocks were registered to Garrison

Didn't Mose Sisken own or run the TAG?