Seems I need one or two Santa Fe NW-2 switchers for my First Street yard. Did KATO ever produce them in either black or zebra stripe (like they did in HO), or just in blue and yellow? I'd rather not paint and decal, especially the zebras, if they are/were available commercially. Thanks for any feedback. Regards, Otto and oh, yeah, Happy New Year...
No, Kato has not done the NW2 in Zebra stripes even though that paint scheme is the only one that prototypically matches the era of their Super Chief and El Capitan sets and the NW2's spent most of their lives wearing it. I've given up hope of them ever doing one as they seem to have lost interest in the NW2 and reproducing all the roadnames they did in HO. I've decaled zebras in the past but it's one of those things you don't do if some manufacturer does it for you. Atlas have done all their hood units from that era in zebra stripes, several runs for most, so zebras must sell. Maybe in twenty or so years time when they rerun them like they are doing now with the U30C's and SD45's.
Im with you guys on decaling the zebra stripes. I hope they do come out with them sometime in the next 2 decades!
I think they were on the list for the next round, but them the last round with PRR and MR went nowhere. So who knows what is going to happen now. They also were looking at doing DRGW and other roads too. The PRR and MR guys blew it for the rest of us...(LOL)
Thanks guys, that's what I thought. I may just need to paint my own... So the next question is, when did the 2403 class NW-2's got their full zebras? Pre or post '51? I do own an ATSF painting and lettering guide, just can't seem to locate it. Aging is not pretty... Regards, Otto
http://users.snowcrest.net/photobob/sfl69.jpg This photo of 2403 is dated '49. Im still looking but the 51 question seems to be right in the middle of any photo evidence i find. Everything 52 and on is zebra and 49 and below is all black........ i dont have the book yet or id tell you for sure otto!
Well, if anyone is interested, I got my answer on the Santa Fe group from noted photographer Stan Kistler: all four LA division Santa Fe NW-2's were seen in their full zebra (silver and black) paint jobs in December 1950 at Barstow. Good enough for me... Thaks to those who responded, Otto
