Nostalgia & History > SP Over Night box cars info: needed

Just looking for a brief summary of Espee's Overnight box cars (those painted black). What years operated, what trains, where they go, cargo etc. Thanks for the help!

Ryan Dora
San Bernardino, CA
Modeling the SP

The black freight cars were used on the overnight freight train between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The train was called the Zipper and, I recall the train running in the mid 50’s. My dad often worked on the LA Division freight pool between LA and Santa Barbara and was always pleased when he was called for the Zipper. The Zipper departed from the yard adjacent to North Spring Street and, as I recall, ran as a 2nd class train. I don’t know if the distinctive black box cars were used on other trains.