Catwhisker or Cigar Band?

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Which ATSF Paint Scheme would be appropriate for F units in about 1946? I’m looking to buy some ATSF freight scheme units and I am wondering wether the Cigar Band (Ovular (Oval?) Logo on the nose) or Catwhisker (Circular Logo on the nose with 'Cat Whisker stripes going back toward the cab.) would be appropriate for my era, which again, is 1946.

2

Nevermind, I’ve answered my own question. The Cat Whisker Scheme is the way to go.

At least I won’t have to substitute Athearn F3s for FTs.

3

Generally “cigar band” refers to a later New York Central paint scheme, and “cat whisker” makes me think of some of the Alco-designed paint schemes. I don’t think either term was ever applied to Santa Fe engines. Generally the silver and red passenger scheme is called the “warbonnet” and the blue and yellow (originally blue and cream, with red stripes) is just called the freight scheme, except for some later F’s that were painted into a blue and yellow version of the warbonnet called the “yellowbonnet” scheme.

Warbonnet:

Original Freight F-unit scheme:

4

Hi!

As a long time Santa Fe “nut”, I got both the “cigar band” and the “catwhisker” (Stewart ABBA consists w/motors added to B units) and, I also got one of the original consists with the thin red stripe.

Remember, you can never have too many blue/yellow units!!!

Mobilman44

5

Hello Jake1210

The SFRH&MS website has information on which scheme is appropriate for your time era. The freight F unit and Modeling Notes will be of best help:

http://atsfrr.net/resources/funits/index.htm

Take care,

Russell

6

Styx, You’re right and wrong. Your top picture is of the “War Bonnet”, but that refers to the side view. (Because it looks like the war bonnet headdress worn by plains indians). The cigar band logo refers to the oval shaped logo on the nose of the F unit which was also on later freight F units without the war bonnet. The “Cat Whisker” scheme, as is depicted in your bottom picture, refers to the three stripes originating at the nose logo and running back along the sides of the nose. This scheme was used on freight FT and early F3 units only.

Dick

Texas Chief

7

Nor can you have too many 2-10-4s, 2-10-2s, and 4-8-4s! (Okay, maybe it is just a bit excessive when you have two of every prototype number… [swg])

Also, thank you for the link, Russell! I have it bookmarked

8

[swg] I have 5, 2-10-2’s, 5, 2-10-4’s with 2 more coming, and 18, 4-8-4’s. All Santa Fe. That’s in addition to a ton of other steam engines, from ATSF, (including 4, 2-8-8-2’s), UP, SP. So enough already!

Dick

Texas Chief

9

Dick, I recently purchased the Athearn “Genesis” F3 A&B “cat whisker” units with DCC and sound. Wonderful units. But a question for you…did the A unit script for “Santa Fe” also appear in the same color as the emblem on the nose (which to me looks gold in color)? I can’t find any pictures of the A unit from the side. Have you seen the new Genesis units? I have to believe that Athearn got them right. But I noticed on later F freight units the name “Santa Fe” is in the same bright ATSF yellow color as the cigar band. Pictures attached of the new model. I hope you can open them. http://s742.photobucket.com/albums/xx64/Johnreese/ATSF%20cat%20whisker/ Thanks John Great Southwest and Pacific Railroad

10

Note this is also a later paint scheme because it doesn’t have the red pinstripe next to the yellow.

11

Very interesting on the gold lettering.

I always thought the lettering matched the color of the band below it. But then again I model the cigar band era (1957).

I looked in one of the many color photo books I have on the Santa Fe and low and behold,the catwhisker F7s have gold lettering on the side. Just like your model.

I was unable to find a color photo of the rare F3s wearing the catwhisker scheme. But since Santa Fe only had two ABBA sets, #200 and #201, photos are hard to come by of the freight F3s. I’m guessing they were painted the same as the freight F7s.

All of the Athearn Fs (F3 and F7) in the Santa Fe catwhisker scheme appear to have the gold lettering (based on looking at the photos on their website). So this is likely correct as Athearn is usually very good when it comes to Santa Fe paint schemes.

The microscale decal set (87-699) lettering has three colors. Cream for the earliest scheme, gold and yellow. So the gold is obviously the right color for certain locos and eras.

Oh I should add, the red pinstripe you mention in your second posting was only on FTs.

I hear ya on the Athearn Genesis Fs being wonderful models. I have a Santa Fe Genesis AB F7 (#217 LA) in the cigarband scheme and they are fantastic. Even better since I added Tsunami sound. I just wish I could find the matching AB set (#217 BC). Everyone else must like their sets as well because I’ve been looking for

12

I have a good picture of the front of the early F3’s on the cover and on page 94-95 in the “Santa Fe Facilities, Volume 1” by Lloyd Stagner. It was taken in 1954 at the Dalies in New Mexico. The front nose emblem “gold” color is very visable, but you can just barely make out the “Santa Fe” script color on the side of the lead unit. Glad you have some addtional pictures that confirmed this. Thanks. JRP Great Southwest and Pacific RR