I’ve read where GN painted some of their early diesel switchers black instead of the Empire Builder paont scheme. (This was an attempt to gain better acceptance from engineers/firemen during the start of the transitition era) I’ve seen a photo of a Baldwin VO-1000 painted that way. Does anyone know if any of their early ALCO’s (RS-1 and RS-2) were painted that way?
Thanks… Bob
Many railroads in the 1930’s had their new diesel switchers delivered in black, just as they had painted their steam switchers black. That was very common, and had nothing to do with the train crews opinions one way or another. Some roads, like the Soo LIne, even had their early GPs painted black. GN’s EMC/EMD and Baldwin switchers from the late thirties/early forties were painted black.
What came to be called the “Empire Builder” scheme was introduced (IIRC) with GN’s first A-B sets of FT’s, which were delivered in 1941 in the familiar green, orange and yellow scheme. The Alcos you mention came after that, and were also painted green and orange.
Interestingly, the actual Empire Builder train was a Pullman-green heavyweight train until 1947, when the first green and orange streamlined cars were delivered. Before that, all GN passenger cars were Pullman green. In 1945-47 you could see an all-heavyweight Pullman-green EB being pulled by green and orange E units…or silver E units on the Burlington Route.
Thanks, Stix… That’s the very info I needed.
Bob
Yep the switchers of the early 1940s were painted all black with a large ‘goat’ herald in the middle. From what I have read the RS1s,2s were originally delivered to the railroad in the Empire Builder colors.
Ben Ringnalda’s website http://www.greatnorthernempire.net/ has a pretty complete timeline of Great northern engines including delivery dates,delivered paint schemes repaints and retirement dates.
Bill
“More great information…” thank you,. one and all!
Bob