Hey Guys, When did they start painting the zebra stripes on their switchers-? I believe the Santa Fe took delivery of their switchers (in the early '40's) in all black with a thin stripe toward the top of the hood. I model from 1950 to 1955(predominantly SP). Thanks,
The first official paint scheme applied to ATSF switchers/diesels was the Zebra Stripe. There may have been a few all black small demo... units delivered to the Santa Fe. The time frame would have been in the early 40's. Eventually, these early demo units ended up in the zebra stripe. The road locomotives FT's, F3's and F7's received the blue pin stripe with cat whiskers on the nose. Those F type units dedicated to passenger service received the Red War Bonnet You can visit SANTA FE for more illustrations of early Santa Fe Diesels and their subsequent paint schemes. You can also visit my favorite resource, Jack Whimeyer's collection: http://www.snowcrest.net/photobob/collectionindex.html Disclosure: The photos are not mine but are used here for illustration and documentation only. These belong to Photo Bob and you can purchase copies of these pictures from him. Special Interest: There are two switch engines (1st and last) posted here one has the radio 2-way on the nose and the other on the cab roof. Enjoy!
Thanks Rick. I only have a couple of Sante Fe books (Iron Horses of the Santa Fe Trail and Early Diesel Days). They are a help, but not on the Ge 44 tonners. Iron horses shows one in the all black and Diesel days has one in zebra. You've been a great help, Thanks again,
The GE 44 tonners and the fourth unit pictured in my post originally arrived in solid black with a silver pin striping. Sorry, no pictures to prove that. My family of rails, ATSF Employees, did refer to many of the early diesels arriving in the solid black. This didn't last long as, "Some suit decided...it would be safer at R&R crossings if they had the safety barriers painted on," thus the Zebra stripes. Glad to be of some help. smile:
"No pictures to prove it" I said in an earlier post. Not so! Here you go...FINALLY! This Alco switcher fits the bill and is one of the first to arrive on the ATSF property. How about them cookies...ahh...locomotives? It wasn't much of a puller. Again referring to my family of rails, "It ended up being cussed at and spent more time in the shops then switching," or so goes the rumor.
And two more Alco switchers in the black with silver pin stripe paint scheme. I just love it when I prove myself wrong. Now where did I put the humble pie? Next to the crow? No not Jim Crow...to dangerous and a decided health risk. Better to do without. It was good to find these as I knew there had to be some pictures in someones files/collection. I barely/vaguely remember these running around Barstow and San Bernardino, Ca. A shout out of THANKS to Jim Whitmeyer, God rest his soul.
