Custom Cars

Interesting simple schemes.

I don't think cars like this would have internal bulkheads and load restraints though, which is what that symbol on the door represents.

Bulkheads & Restraints

cv_acr: Boxcars were indeed being equipped with internal bulkheads and restraining devices at this time (1960's), though not on a wide basis. See the Morning Sun rolling stock books for photos and roads that equipped some of their cars. The Chicago Great Western RR comes to mind.  Yours, Elvin Howland/E. St. Louis Rail group Layout

Bulkheads

Yes, but a car dedicated to bulk loading of sugar (or any other bulk product) would have no use for internal load restraints or any other special features.

Well, a solution...

...is to weather the car up and say it was removed from that service and placed into bulk service..

One detail you could add that you make the cars really stand out would be roof hatches for sugar loading. Just a thought..

...

The cars have bulkheads and they are in Bulk Sugar Service.

GET OVER IT!

Decals

Where did you get the decals?

Trying to help

Little details matter, and things like correct decals enhance credibility.  

AAR car type XAF was for "automobile/furniture" loading.  Later type lists (after the era the OP's cars appear intended to represent) used XF for certain clean lading e.g. food, and required FDA-approved interior coatings.  A 40' car with a single 8' door would be very unlikely to be classified as an XA, with or without sub-designation F.  Side door opening for an XA normally had to be at least 10'   http://www.greatnorthernempire.net/index2.htm?GNE_AARCarCodes.htm .

Chris is right about the door symbols too.  They were limited to cars specially equipped with certain load restraining systems, and cars used for bulk loading would not have these devices.  They are not only unnecessary, but also would interfere with keeping the interior sufficiently clean for the car to be safe for its intended service.  Bulkheads were uncommon in the older style 40' cars like the ones the OP used.

Nobody's trying to be critical for the sake of it - the OP may not know about these distinctions, and the information can be put to use in future projects.  Hopefully Elvin takes the comments in the spirit intended.

Decals

Nick: The Heralds I made and the decals are from my collection of decals. Yours, Elvin

Changes

Rob Spangler: Thanks for your suggestions. I will make the necessary changes.