There has been speculation here and elsewhere that no confirmation could be found that any of the long 40' reefers were ever lettered with the "flying" Rio Grande herald.
Greg Scholl's new DVD "Rio Grande Steam in the 60's" has many runbys of an Illini Special in 1961 between Alamosa and Chama that shows a very San Juan-ish consist behind #476. The first car in the train, standing in for an RPO, is a 40' reefer with speed lettering. I have tried to identify the number, I think it is #153, but can't be 100% sure.
The rest of the train is made up of Baggage #126, three or four Closed Vestibule Coaches, "Alamosa", and an open gon at the rear with no roof.
It would sure be cool to see that train on the C&TS today. Or on the D&S, for that matter.
Check it out. Great DVD.
And now we know for certain that at least one of the long reefers sported a speed herald.