Hello,
I originally posted this question with Steam Era Freight Cars and I am thankful
for all of your contributions. There is a pretty good photo of a minibox roof
in John Riddell's Canadian Pacific Colorguide (CP243120) that shows no evidence
(from what I can see) of these ridges. This was order from CC&F (243000
243999) and I would be surprised if the roof had been rebuilt. I agree that if
these ridges are present that they are extremely subtle. Interestingly, I was
trolling around the STMFC group (files section) and I found a file entitled
"Roof, freight cars" featuring vintage ads for various roofs. Although these
don't feature Murphy Radial roofs, there is an ad dated 1925 showing a
similarly designed Hutchins all-steal dry lading roof. The ridge, or
stiffener, starts several inches up from the edge of the roof as Rob had
suggested might be the case with the minibox. Anyhow, I think that I am going
to remove the ridges in question on my miniboxes because, even if these were
subtle ridges, which I think there were (if you look at page 52's top photo of
Mr. Riddell's article in Nov.'93 Mainline Modeler there is a hint of something
mid-roof-panel), they are hardly noticeable. Sorry of this responce is a
little tardy.
Thanks again,
Jonathan
