Western Railroad Discussion > Nice Paint – For Now

The number of paint schemes available from which to choose a favorite has obviously diminished over the years. This someday in the not too distant future to be extinct scheme has emerged as one that still titillates. An unsullied example was captured northbound at Greenland, Colorado back in June 2015. 

Be of good cheer,
—Mac
www.lowellamrine.com

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You're right! One of my all time favorite paint schemes....

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

I remember when that scheme was new, and the consternation amongst the railfan community that Kodachrome film seemed to be incapable of rendering the green as green.  Seeing the scheme in person, the dark color was very definitely green, but when the slides came back, it had turned to black.  Digital cameras seem to do a better job with it, aided by a bit of fading after nearly a quarter century in the field.  I like the scheme too, though it definitely would look better with a nose logo, either the BN buns or the BNSF wagon wheel.

I agree Evan! There's still afew of these wandering around the the 'wagon wheel' logo. Always nice to catch one as a leader or facing out DPU.



Evan_Werkema Wrote:
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> I remember when that scheme was new, and the
> consternation amongst the railfan community that
> Kodachrome film seemed to be incapable of
> rendering the green as green.  Seeing the scheme
> in person, the dark color was very definitely
> green, but when the slides came back, it had
> turned to black.  Digital cameras seem to do a
> better job with it, aided by a bit of fading after
> nearly a quarter century in the field.  I like
> the scheme too, though it definitely would look
> better with a nose logo, either the BN buns or the
> BNSF wagon wheel.

James Nelson
Thornton, CO
www.flickr.com/mojaveflyer

Evan_Werkema Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I remember when that scheme was new, and the
> consternation amongst the railfan community that
> Kodachrome film seemed to be incapable of
> rendering the green as green.  Seeing the scheme
> in person, the dark color was very definitely
> green, but when the slides came back, it had
> turned to black.  Digital cameras seem to do a
> better job with it, aided by a bit of fading after
> nearly a quarter century in the field.  I like
> the scheme too, though it definitely would look
> better with a nose logo, either the BN buns or the
> BNSF wagon wheel. 

Well, Evan, as delivered they HAD nose logos!  However, since the logos were appently decals, they eventually washed off to the appearance shown.  While I didn't mind this scheme,
I preferred the whiteface with pin stripe scheme.  That one was really cool and dressed up the unnits taht got it.  I wonder if anyone ever did a roster of the pin stripe units.  

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

ntharalson Wrote:

> Well, Evan, as delivered they HAD nose logos! 
> However, since the logos were appently decals,
> they eventually washed off to the appearance
> shown. 

Pretty sure BNSF physically removed the nose logos that are now missing. 

That was a great day, Mac. I went digging into the archives and found this one I thought was worth sharing in memory of that June afternoon on the Joint Line.
—Michael

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It's still possible to see some of the Grinsteins here in the Pacific Northwest on coal trains headed for or returning from Robert's Bank, B.C.

Yes those SD70MAC’s did originally have nose logos when delivered from the factory, however they were eventually 
physically removed by hand. None of them just “washed away”. Any Grinstein Green SD70MAC missing a nose logo had it removed purposely.



ntharalson Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Evan_Werkema Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I remember when that scheme was new, and the
> > consternation amongst the railfan community
> that
> > Kodachrome film seemed to be incapable of
> > rendering the green as green.  Seeing the
> scheme
> > in person, the dark color was very definitely
> > green, but when the slides came back, it had
> > turned to black.  Digital cameras seem to do a
> > better job with it, aided by a bit of fading
> after
> > nearly a quarter century in the field.  I like
> > the scheme too, though it definitely would look
> > better with a nose logo, either the BN buns or
> the
> > BNSF wagon wheel. 
>
> Well, Evan, as delivered they HAD nose logos! 
> However, since the logos were appently decals,
> they eventually washed off to the appearance
> shown.  While I didn't mind this scheme,
> I preferred the whiteface with pin stripe
> scheme.  That one was really cool and dressed up
> the unnits taht got it.  I wonder if anyone ever
> did a roster of the pin stripe units.  
>
> Nick Tharalson,
> Marion, IA

Bryan Jones
Brooks, KY
Bryan's Train Photos

Evan_Werkema Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I remember when that scheme was new, and the
> consternation amongst the railfan community that
> Kodachrome film seemed to be incapable of
> rendering the green as green.  Seeing the scheme
> in person, the dark color was very definitely
> green, but when the slides came back, it had
> turned to black.  

Oh, interesting. I don't know if you remember the Paul D. Schneider era of CTC Board, but one of the things that led to vociferous complaints directed at the magazine at the end (which may have led to the White River takeover of the magazine) around, IDK, 2006 or so was the publication of a photo essay (from an author who I believe shot slides) that allegedly had quality-control issues, and I specifically remember people griping about a photo of SD70MACs in the PRB where the green paint indeed looked black. Folks said it was underexposed... now I'm wondering if that was really the case. Perhaps not. 

Evan_Werkema Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pretty sure BNSF physically removed the nose logos
> that are now missing. 

Yeah, they went through an aggressive period of pulling off the nose logos (which were mostly rather faded by that point) and putting on wedge decals under the cab windows (on the original BN locos). Around 2007 or so, I believe. 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/30/20 08:49 by FiestaFoamer.

I am surprised BNSF spent the money to physically remove the "wagon wheel" logos.  I do know they're hard to find anymore.  

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA