I am a huge SF fan, and used to railfan in Winslow, AZ. The SF folks let me sit on t g e overpass into the yard and take pictures from above the main line. Then that green outfit took over and when i asked if i could continue, they got upset and ran me off. The new BNSF isn't the same. I also went on to Diablo Canyon to railfan,
The original, complete with the high lettering and the half-logos flanking the side panel windows: The separating stripes disappeared and the big lettering was used first on the 450 class of GE U28CG dual service roadswitchers of 1965. Initially this was only used on dual service roadswitchers; the GE U30CG and FP45 streamliners of 1967 originally wore separating stripes and small lettering. When it was discovered in 1968 that the GE trucks proved completely unsuitable for 100 MPH running, the U28CGs (and U30CGs) were repainted blue and yellow, and this scheme was not seen again until the 1980s, when the Santa Fe woke up and said, it's the most popular paint scheme in the whole world--why are we letting the toy train makers have all the fun? The true Warbonnet with the separating stripes and the small black lettering lasted a little longer--until May, 1971--then disappeared for good.
Love that San Diego passenger station! Does ANYBODY remember the war bonnet locomotive that was located along 101 maybe a mile or so north of the station and had been converted into a restaurant. We’re talking 1948-1950. I remember eating there with my mom from time to time and as we were leaving, they’d let you blow the horn. All I remember is the red and silver paint job and the cord for the horn that hung down from the ceiling by the register.
