good day, fellow train fanatics!
I am looking for pictures of diesel locomotives of the CNW from the '50’s. These particular units were painted in an “experimental green” livery. They had only a yellow stripe on the length of the frame. The experiment didn’t last long and the CNW went back to green and yellow.
I found the 1639 GP7. But I read there were more. Does anyone have any of these pictures or know where I can find them? I appreciate it!
thanks [:)]
Will you post the picture of the 1639 to give me an idea of what I’m looking for?
Are you sure it was that early? I remember seeing a picture in Trains from when this unit appeared. Maybe the very late 50s or early 60s, I suspect.
Hi Guys
This is the link for the CNW 1639 Courtesy of the CNWHS
http://www.cnwhs.org/memberphotos/thumbnails.php?album=search&search=1639
I did a search of the CNWHS photo archive for the key word green. Some others are popping up. If you see anymore elsewhere let me know. THanks [8D]
The '50s would be right for the timeframe. C&NW’s four FA/FBs were delivered in that paint scheme.
Don Ball’s book “America’s Railroads” has a picture of a CNW train with a RS-? (Alco) in the solid green paint. The photo is dated from September of 1966.
Jeff
Well, I have learned something new today.
You have to wonder about the inspiration for that paint scheme. My guess would be that it was thought to be cheaper to apply (less colors, less masking, etc.) and wouldn’t show dirt / look dirty as easily as the yellow did.
Those ideas unfortunately overlook 2 big downside items. Here in the upper midwest, for about 6 months of the year, everything is green. That paint scheme would be pretty good camouflage for a train approaching a grade crossing. It also seems to be dark here about 1/2 the time and again, dark green at night wouldn’t help visibility so much.
I’m glad that paint scheme didn’t go too far. I have similar feelings about the zito yellow paint scheme (not a big fan.) I’ll always find it ironic that a Chicago based RR shared their green and gold paint scheme colors w/ the Green Bay Packers. God’s chosen RR meets God’s chosen football team (but that’s just my very humble opinion.)
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The scheme debuted in 1963 if I recall correctly- other units that wore the scheme besides the 1639 were:
GP9 1739
H16-66 1698
RS3 406
RSD5 1690
The scheme was indeed tried out as a money saving option to the yellow/green the CNW was using at the time- and “dip job” paint schemes were beginning to show up on other lines as a cost cutting measure too. I may be missing one or two others on the list- but it wasn’t many that got the dip. Thankfully the scheme was only experimental due to visibility concerns and the CNW went back to their yellow and green scheme minus the chevrons.
The CNW FA2s were not painted in the experimental scheme- they wore their GE demonstrator scheme of green with a white stripe which was modified by the CNW removing the GE logo and lettering and simply substituting a “C&NW” on the white stripe. They were repainted into yellow and green after about a year and were off the roster before the all green dip scheme showed up.
fellow train brethren,
thanks for the input. I have bookmarked this page. I’m hoping to have seen all the green units. So if you run by the link of them and you remember this thread, don’t forget to post [:D]
Diesel
That’s pretty neat! Even if it’s not yellow!
The “C&NW In Color” series by Morning Sun books has 2-3 pages devoted to the units.
Phil
Of course, CNW started using yellow and green in the 19th century, Green Bay Packers didn’t adopt the green and gold colors until 1952 !! [:O]
The railroad is right but His chosen football team is in Philadelphia…but that’s my [2c]!
I think I might try that scheme out on a -9 or something modern and see how it looks!
Stix
You don’t know how better i feel hearing that, being a BEARS FAN. I mean it was CHICAGO and Northwestern…right? [;)]
North Western, son!! [banghead]
Hi Phil,
thanks for the info. Always looking to expand my Chicago and North Western collection! [8D]