Workbench Wednesday - MR&T Hopper: Part 2

     A few weeks ago, I put together an Accurail hopper kit.  I was waiting for FRA reflector strips to arrive, and they did.  FRA reflectors became a requirement for railcars starting in 2005.  They are placed on the side of cars to provide warning to motor vehicles at night that a train is passing on the tracks.  It's especially important at unprotected crossings in the nighttime.  The stipes reflect off the headlights as the train passes.

    I ordered FRA reflectors from Smokebox Graphics.  As opposed to waterslide decals, these are very thin stickers (0.005") that actually reflect light.  Directions are provided on the packaging as to where to place them on a railcar.  They are easy to apply, and I like how they look.  I also ordered a set of the FRA strips as waterslide decals just in case I didn't like the reflective stickers.  I'll put them to good use on future cars.  I have plenty of freight cars that need these stripes.

Before

After