I recently purchased an Athearn Model #4208 GP-35 Chessie System - Western Maryland #3577. It is painted W**&**M instead of WM. Is this a painting mistake?
I believe it is old stock never assembled.
GS
Was it factory painted or self-painted by the previous owner? It’s supposed to be WM (without the ampersand).
~~Here’s a proto pic: http://www.trainweb.org/chessiephotos/photos/GP35/3577cs-wm.jpg~~
EDIT: Flash, ya beat me to it! [;)]
I’m not finding a 4208 Chessie in W anythign on Athearn’s website.
OH! It;s a BlueBox? I can’t find that either. The only WM CHessie I did find is WM, the W&M may in fact be a fluke.
EDIT: FOund the “biggee” http://www.trainweb.org/chessiephotos/photos/GP35/3577cs-wm.jpg
The unit was originally delivered to the Western Maryland in December 1963 as #502, painted in the ever handsome black with yellow speed lettering livery. In 1967, it was re-numbered to align with B&O’s number series, and remained in black paint until some time in late 1969/early 1970 when it received the red, white and black “circus” paint scheme.
I have seen photos of a WM hopper that received an ampersand with its Chessie paint, but I don’t believe this error was ever applied to an engine.
Lee