Are any of the forum members familiar with the black and yellow(or is it black and orange) paint scheme on the Wheeling and Lake Erie’s diesel locomotives? I’d like to super-detail a SD40-2, and add some of the missing components, like the plow, but have no idea what that yellow or orange color is known as. Any ideas as to how to research or identify this color would be appreciated.
Wilton.
Pretty easy actually: they’re Rio Grande colors.
I mean, not as a “that’s a close enough color.” Its literally the same colors that Rio Grande used.
Nittanylion,
Thanks for the info. I recognized the D&RG colors and “Flying Grande” lettering on the locomotives from my decades of living in Denver years ago. A search of my Walthers HO Reference Book shows at least three different manufacturers of paint of D&RG orange. I am going to call the maker of the loco I’m buying to see if they can tell me anything more about what brand to use to match their product. If they can’t shed any light on this, I’ll just buy one of each brand paint from Walthers, and look for the best match. I’m looking forward to this, my first super-detailing project. Hopefully, it will make it to Weekend Photo Fun’s post.
Wilton.
If I may make a suggestion, the W&LE units are repainted when the Rio Grande was replaced on the side. This skewed the orange to a more vibrant orange than the faded yellowish Rio Grande they were purchased wearing.
Nittany,
Yeah, the orange/yellow does seem to be a bit more “electric” on the W&LE locos. I called Bachmann, who makes the loco I’m going to detail, but they could not recommend a brand of paint, and they don’t sell touch-up paint. It’s a shame that the colors aren’t shown in Walthers reference book, on their website, or on the website of one of the makers of paint that I did check, Scalecoat. One of the three “oranges” I did order today from Walthers is called “new orange”. I’ll know in a week or so when the paint gets here if this task is going to be easy or not. Follow-up posts will be done. Thanks again for your insight.
Wilton.
I live less then a 1/4 mile from a Wheeling & Lake Erie line and they are still running “Rio Grande” GP40-2 locomotives…I mean locomotives that still carry “Rio Grande” on the sides and really don’t look all that weathered for their age. I think they have two or three left on their roster still in their original “Rio Grande” paint scheme. It’s actually pretty cool to see those Rio Grande’s mixed in with the Wheeling & Lake Erie marked locomotives. I’ve seen what I take to be fresh from the overhaul yards glossy black and orange Wheeling & Lake Erie SD40-3 units that look really S-H-A-R-P and in MINT condition!!! I model the UP and have one “Rio Grande” on my layout with the road numbers painted in UP yellow and red. The W&LE/Rio Grande scheme is one of my favorites.
Don,
Thanks for sharing the info on “sighting” those GP40s in Rio Grande livery. When I began this detailing project, I googled the W&LE SD40-2s, and came across an image of one (road # 6354) that had apparently just been through their shops - this loco is spotless and shiny. If you get an opportunity, could you take some photos of the locomotives you’ve mentioned, and post them here? It would be a treat for us “flying grande” lettering admirers.
Wilton.
Wilton,
I will certainly keep my eyes open for those remaining “Rio Grande” marked W&LE Geeps. I did some checking and from what I could find there was 3 of them in 2012, but there are now only 2 “Rio Grande” marked units left (although I do see " Rio Grande" hoppers on the rails here still as well). Photography is not my strong suit compared to most here. But I can point and click as well as most folks I guess. My Son and I last spotted one two weeks ago hauling mixed freight with a W&LE marked locomotive. Good luck with your project and keep us “Rio Grande”/ W&LE fans posted.
Don.