StevefromPA : Not sure if you are aware but your Dad's taste in Milk Cars was first rate. IAW the new Kalmbach Media Book, "Milk Trains and Traffic" by Jeff Wilson, 2019 Bordens began rebuilding their wood body tank cars in 1936 and the result was 35 of the most unique bulk Milk cars. Two 3000 gal tanks contained in a streamlined hood-style superstructure that covered the tanks. The cars were nicknamed "Butter dish" cars for their appearance. Originally they even had a stylish "fin" on both ends like Buck Rogers spaceships, but these were lost to an Aluminum scrap drive to support WWII. Prototype picture appears in the Kalmbach book pg 59. AF made the car you pictured and its close to the real thing, although the lettering is different. To my knowledge, the original Lionel Co never made a butter dish Milk car either pre or post war. However the Lionel LLC did make at least one, the # 26614 Tupelo Dairy Farms milk car, from 2010-2011. It has die cast metal trucks, individual sprung truck frames, sheet metal butter dish and add on hand rails. It even has the "fin" from the original Borden's design. The Lionel car is a BN car almost made as if the tank were an add on flat car load. The original Bordens car was a unique car with standalone reporting marks. The Borden's cars remained in service until the late 1950's finally wearing an aluminum paint scheme and working in the chemical hauling trade. Some pictures below.
Regards, Don McErlean
