On June 15, 1946, the two-emblem scheme with the plain,
colored UP emblem was introduced (and both car sides were
identical). In the ensuing several years, the shops were again
very active, catching up with wartime deferred maintenance
and continuing a very large rebuilding program. By 1949,
wood-sheathed cars with diagonal-banner UP emblems would
have been rare.
Class R-40-10 steel cars, built in 1936, would have been due for
repainting by then and many would have lost their original UP
“banner” emblems by 1949.
During 1949, side hardware on PFE cars, painted black since
1906, became the same orange color as car sides, except only
the side sill and center step, which remained black. The color
two-emblem scheme continued, still with each side of the car
identical, and with the SP emblem nearest the car door.
In June 1950, a major change came with the UP medallion be-
coming black and white instead of red, white and blue. The new
UP emblem can be readily recognized even in black and white
photographs because the word “Railroad” was added in the field
at the top. Side hardware remained as in the 1949 change.
“During 1949, side hardware on PFE cars,
painted black since 1906, became the
same orange color as car sides, except
only the side sill and center step, which re-
mained black.”
