I have an ABBA set of Stewart F3’s in the L&N “Black Cat” paint scheme. My question is, when was this paint scheme introduced? I model Southern Railway in 1957, but not sure if this is prototypically correct for my time period. If correct, they would be seen at an interchange point. If wrong for the time period, they will either be sold, or make a trip to the paint shop.
Thanks.
Brad
I vaguely remember (but am not sure) that L&N receiveded its first F-3’s in 1948 and I believe that scheme lasted until the late 50’s/early 60’s. I was stationed in Montgomery, AL for Air Force tech school in 1965/1966 and remember seeing some L&N units which, by then were in the gray and yellow.
The above probably doesn’t help much, but you might look on Yahoo to see if there’s an L&N forum.
Andre
Brad,
I model the L&N and at home have the book of L&N locos. If you want to email me at claysmith44@hotmail.com as a reminder I’ll look it up for you. Won’t take long and I’d be happy to do it.
Clay Smith
Brad, just did a quick check at the fallen flags website and earliest photo of an F3 was about 1967 and it was gray with a yellow nose. No photos earlier than that so not much help there. Ken
Brad; Andre was right, L&N bought an A-B-B-B-A set of f-3s in 1948 called “Black Cats” by the EK crews. The a’s were numbered 2500-2501 and the b’s 2550-2552. They were purchased for use as helpers on Elkatawa hill on the EK at Gentry Ky. and were geared 65:12. The black paint scheme was hoped to make the units a little less noticed by the coal operators, don’t know how well that worked but later that year the f’s were pitted against M-1 #1965 on a series of runs with a dynamometer car on the short line between Louisville and Cincinnati. The units were upgraded at SLS in the mid 50’s with standard 62:15 gearing and renumbered a’s 948-949 and b’s 747-749, after which they were listed as f-7’s on the company’s roster. As for paint scheme the L&N changed from the black & cream frieght colors in the late 50’s painting f units in a scheme which nearly matched the f-3’s original with the exception that a round sheetmetal herald bolted to three brackets below the lower headlight. Painting them in this scheme would not be very complicated. If you want more information you can contact the L&N historical society and purchase a reprint of the Feb. 1991 issue #24 of the Dixie Line ($3.00). The article L&N’s “Old Frog Eyes” Part1 in this issue has more information on the Black Cats.