Patches are when a car’s reporting marks and often numbers are changed on a car through the use of blacking out (or patching) the old information and painting over with the new information.
Patches offer modellers a way to individualize their cars and often enhance their realism. At least a few patch jobs are essential for layouts, say about, 1990 forward.
Below are a few examples and then an HO example from B. Smith’s LCN RR.
PLCX 28132 in Mobile, AL January 7, 2009 –photo by Todd Templeton (image courtesy of rrpicturearchives.net)
PLCX 28188 in Stockton CA March 10 2003 –Photo copyrighted by Chris Butts (image courtesy Railcarphotos.com)
PLCX 28138 at Palmer Lake, CO. April 16, 2004. Photo copyrighted by Kent Charles (image courtesy Railcarphotos.com)
Recently, PLCX 28138 surfaced on the LCN RR.
Exactrail car patched by B. Smith.
Model and photo by B. Smith.
For all you modellers of more recent eras, happy patching!
Rails West 
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
A LONG WAY FROM THE PAW-PAW PATCH!!!
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Good job explaining this! The model is clearer to see than one or two of the prototypes…but that’s okay.
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