I notice a large variation in the orange. Did original WP orange vary that much? The lighter color looks more right to me.
To some degree yes. The freight locomotive or the one pictured on the right not only had a slightly different shade of orange (burnt orange) it sported the original WP paint scheme. When the CA Zephyr started operations over the WP, they decided to change the shading of the color and switched to a lighter orange, applying a new paint scheme. The unit you see on the left which is commonly known to some of us younger railfans as the passenger units...sported a brighter orange. Do I dare mention that sun fade and weather created it's own shades of orange. Maybe safer to duck and run. Well, I was young back then...grin!
Oranges and reds really fade in the harsh western sun. Look at some Superfleet ATSF engines someday. The remaining ones sometimes fade to pink!?!! I have seen some really faded BNSF SD70MACs, too.
The unit on the left an FP7, WP805-A is in the correct orange paint. The 917-D and 921-D were repainted by UP before donating them to the museums and the orange was redder than it should have been. The curve of the orange and silver on the side of the nose is incorrect for the F7's as well. None the less UP was generous to repaint them and donate them to museums. Both F7's are in need of new paint, body work and engine work. Fund raisers for their restoration is being worked on. We are hoping to have them matching the 805 in the future. In the mean time, we have other pieces of equipment which need attention first. So much to do and so little time and money. Even with their issues, they look good sitting together IMHO. Greg
Notice it's only the GEs that do that. GE paint of that time was often very short-lived. Conrail C40-8Ws are another well-known example.
Isn't there a big photo special at Portola this weekend or very soon? I could have sworn I saw it advertised somewhere. It would be great to attend if I lived closer.
The Portola photog day is 9/29/7. http://www.wplives.org/FRRS_Home/News_and_Events/RP_Day_2007/rp_day_2007.html
There were two versions of the Pumpkin paint scheme. The first one was tagged Pumpkin I and used on the FT’s between 1947 and 1949-50. About that time the Zepher paint was selected as standard. The second version, Pumpkin II started showing up in 1965. Switchers and F units the units to receive that paint scheme. One GP35 however did get the Pumpkin II, # 3003. The green and orange was first seen on GP40’s arriving in 1970. Greg
Wow! That is quite a contrast! Well I hope the Ben Franklin I dropped at the gift shop on labor day helps get them to the correct shade! Wish I could be there this weekend to see the 6936 & 6946 burble around the trackage! Those 2 and the GP30 could cause quite a traffic jam in the canyon! Hope somebody, (Greg!?!) gets some fotos and shares with us less fortunates!! 2slim
