The Santa Fe Black Bonnet Train

Welcome to a new mini series on my channel! For Episode 1, we will look at the beautiful Black Bonnet versions of the famous Santa Fe F3 and ATSF 4-8-4 Northern!
Engines in this video:
Lionel Legacy ATSF 4-8-4 Northern (Black Bonnet colors)
MTH Railking Santa Fe F3 ABA (Black Bonnet colors)
Enjoy!

[@zachwheeler9846]

Though probably not prototypical, that black bonnet paint scheme on that 4-8-4 Northern is beautiful.

[@janemarkham4133]

Brotherman, Both trains are beautiful!! RAVE ON CHRISAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!😊😄😃😀👍👍👍👍

[@hugueslalonde]

Beautiful locomotives on a beautiful layout wow 😮 amazing thank you for sharing this 👍👍👍

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you!

[@railfanjackson4531]

The gloss on that 3751-class Northern looks incredible. I look forward to seeing more of these highlight videos

[@mistermadmachine6311]

👍

[@TheTrainboard]

I've finally snagged my own black bonnet diesel set and, as you said, very classy. The black and red just pop. Gary. @thetrainboard

[@davevan8864]

Coming from HO in 1993 I have yet to learn to love fantasy schemes. Yours are cool......thanks for sharing.

[@danielboone3770]

I love the Black Bonnets! They are incredible.

[@Petes3rail]

Wow that Northern is a masterpiece!

[@louruntz9754]

Totally awesome Chris. The black bonnets are amazing liked the glossy finish and the black bonnet passenger cars the F3’s were pulling. Cheers. I have been reviewing many of your past videos. Be safe 👍

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. Gary

[@devinholmes5246]

SUPER AWESOME!!!! The 3751- class is awesome!!! Your videos are fantastic!!!! Keep it up!!! 😃😃😃😀

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you!

[@mjc6184]

Just stunning locomotives and color scheme! Wow! That 4-8-4 is something else!

[@jameslanders4819]

Another great video Chris, nice viewing angles.

[@poteznyczar]

awesome my friend!! that northern is simply magnificent!

[@michaelrushman4659]

Nice video,the black bonnets look awesome,thanks for sharing

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Michael!

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@jamesbrown9761]

Just stumbled across your channel, I love it! I just recently switched from HO to O gauge and am building a 12x12 layout with Fastrack. Your channel is giving me some great inspiration! Looking forward to watching the rest of your videos and getting even more inspired!

[@TheTrainboard]

Like your comment about RBP and his channel, we find his video shots of his layout very inspirational. His composition shows his layout very well. Just hope we can learn and follow chris's example.Gary.

[@chetsir]

wonderful video. I can see your heart and soul is into this wonderful hobby. It is a pleasure to watch your excitement demonstrating rare train engines.

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Chester! The trains are great fun!

[@samsogaugetrains8670]

The Warbonnet Paint Schemes are nice but the black bonnets are almost just as nice!

[@SASEntertainment]

I am really looking forward to this series, especially after starting off with the limited run of the Black Bonnet, which is pretty cool that you have some in your collection. Only 25 made? I only have a handful of steam locomotives and a couple of Diesel engines at this moment. I really need to step up my game I guess lol. I love your layout and I am absolutely thankful that you decided to open it up to us to enjoy along with you. I really found my community as an internet train friend. I am probably most excited about when you and your dad decide to do a series about his layout and its history (hint hint 😉) because 1) I love layouts and 2) I love hearing about the journey that people go on to create their community for their trains to travel/live in. When I get started on my platform for my layout and record my progress, I think discussing my Great Uncle Vernon and his influence on me to get in this hobby will be a video I’ll have to make. Keep up the great work, stay safe and happy railroading!

[@RBPTrains]

Great idea! I will start working on that video. I also love hearing others’ stories about how they got into the hobby. Thank again for the kind words. Been having a great time making these videos and getting to meet others in the hobby.

[@jebbstrains2223]

Pat's Trains in Wheeling WV does a lot of limited runs through Lionel and MTH. Especially alot of local items. I've got several limited edition of 15 Wheeling Lake Erie Items including Engines and Rolling Stock. I'm at his store probably 3 times a month and see some of the neat stuff. He also has a website

[@RBPTrains]

@Jebbs Trains - that is exactly where the engines in my video came from. Really cool that you are close to their store!

[@jebbstrains2223]

@@RBPTrains yes it's pretty nice to be this close. I'm going to get one of those Lionel new limited edition of 25 B&O 4-6-0's when they come out.

[@janemarkham4133]

The Black Bonnetis beautiful BRO!!!! HOPE TO HAVE ONE SOME DAY, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA SHES THE COOLEST MAN!!!! SHINE ON DADDY OOO!!! 😆😅🤣😂😁😄😮😎😎🥸🥸❤💛💚💗💙💜🤟🤟🤟🤘🤘🤘👍👍👍👍

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@necjerseyrailfan7500]

Those look great!

[@rabbitstrainroom6327]

beautiful trains , love them

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks! Lionel and MTH really made some cool models with these.

[@105C09]

I'm back. This is a great video. All your shows are really well produced. Thank you for your efforts. It's enjoyable and really engaging. God Bless you and your family.

[@dennisfly1]

Nice! thanks for sharing.

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks for watching!

[@seansonscaletrains3048]

Dang over 300 subs! Congrats! I think been here since under 10! Both beautiful units by the way.

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Sean! And thank you for being here since the beginning! Been a fun ride so far. :)

[@elleryparsons5766]

Beautiful Collection.

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you Ellery!

[@elleryparsons5766]

I Am thinking Of Painting my N Scale.

[@johnmagnusson7545]

Love your trains, thete very pretty and tou hv a cool layout 😊

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks John!

[@RsTrainsonYT]

Man those black bonnets are too cool 😎!! Id love to see a D&H “black bonnet” but I don’t think it’d look too good 😂. Another great one RBP! Happy 400!

[@RBPTrains]

Now that would be something, lol! Thanks my friend!

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

Honestly, I like the D&H blue variation on the "Warbonnet" scheme better than the Santa Fe's red! Looks great on a Baldwin "Shark."

[@jaysercia2279]

Greatlayout

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you Jay!

[@105C09]

I on the list for a set of F-3's, passenger set, freight set and the pacific. I can't wait!

[@RBPTrains]

Awesome!

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@escape150]

I just ordered the Santa Fe ES44AC Black Bonnet from Pats Trains. I can’t wait until it comes in. Should be a real stunner!!! Have a nice weekend

[@RBPTrains]

Awesome! You have a great weekend as well!

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@ogaugesantafeandbnsf1157]

Nice looking black bonnets. All of mine are in the warbonnet scheme but Im looking forward to adding some black bonnet engines. Looking forward to the video

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. Gary

[@heathbarker5302]

This video was instrumental in making me pick up the Vision Line Santa Fe #3005 2-10-10-2. Those Black bonnets are so cool!

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@jssw3618]

K Line also made a steamer and alcos with passenger cars like this too.

[@RBPTrains]

I almost went with the K-Line F3s. Great looking set and I really like the K-Line Black Bonnet passenger cars!

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. I snagged both an mth and a kline bonnet. Gary

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

Impressive

[@markmcfrederick8932]

I only saw an engine for a second. It was an Union Pacific very large engine with pastel orange, yellow, & red along with gray and black. I would like to see and know more about that engine. Also, any E8s, SD60s & SD70s. The one with the most trains wins in the end. 😃

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Mark- are you referring to the UP Challenger with the “what-if” paint scheme? I can do a video on that one in the future. I will get some of the SD60s and 70s running as well. Need an E8. Currently no E8s in my collection. :)

[@elleryparsons5766]

Love the passenger Cars.

[@RBPTrains]

MTH did a great job on these. Very unique!

[@jebbstrains2223]

I shop at Pat's Trains all the time. Hes about a 40 minute drive away in Wheeling WV. We buy alot from him. I've seen that Steam Engine there. Looks great.

[@RBPTrains]

Awesome that you live so close to the shop!

[@jebbstrains2223]

@@RBPTrains yes and we have T&K Hobby right across the Ohio River in Bridgeport Ohio. And about 20 minutes from Pat's in Washington PA there is Chippers Trains. We are very lucky to have 3 nice shops within an hour of us. You can make a day out of it. I've got some really nice Engines from Pat over the years. Especially those limited Edition Wheeling Lake Erie and some Weirton Steel items. Have you ever been to his store? It's literally packed to the ceiling.

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@trevithickrob]

Awesome video. Black Bonets are on my list to get one day. Also, that Frozen set looks pretty cool. Have almost bought one several times, Olaf is my wife's favorite character, and to drive my teenager up the wall lol

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Rob! Yes, the Frozen set is a big hit in this house. Gets far more run time than anything else on the layout! Totally worth it as it has bunch of different phrases and runs really well! Will help you drive your teenager crazy for sure. :)

[@eagle6833]

@@RBPTrains Given how popular Frozen is with kids I can see why. I saw the Broadway show in February 2020 before Covid hit NYC. Honestly enjoyed it. But then I know some parents who cringe when the opening bars of "Let it go.." start to play. LOL.

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@trevithickrob]

@TheTrainboard saw your video on York and all the stuff you acquired! Patstrains just got some new Black Bonnet stuff in! I finally am getting my first piece, a good start, got the full Vista dome car. Enjoy!

[@kenndemoll7859]

I touched the Black Bonnet!

[@RBPTrains]

Haha! Yes you did my friend!

[@timstrainroom8007]

Yet another great video Chris. I’m out in Portland, OR yet I’ve also shopped at Pats Trains. We have a couple of Train Stores out this way but it’s far less then we had on the East Coast. I last lived in MD but mostly in VA and the market was far different there. Maybe one day we will be back on the East Coast! I assume you are on the East Coast (just a guess) and you do a great job both on the layout and the videos. Look forward to seeing more. have a great upcoming week. Tim

[@RBPTrains]

Thank you Tim! I am an East coast guy. Sounds like you lived really close to me at one time! Still lucky to have a few great shops that are driving distance from my house. Thanks for checking out the channel and I am glad you are here!

[@timstrainroom8007]

@@RBPTrains I sort of figured. 😀 I miss it out there. I think I had more Train Stores near me in MD than I did in VA. We actually have two stores here that are pretty good. Only one has most all of the gauges and one has a sparse amount of O Gauge but is great at ordering for me and getting me good prices. One nice thing is I can save about 15% overall here vs. back east. The hobby is just not as popular here. I have O, HO, N and Z gauges and really thinking about a G Gauge for the yard. My preference is O so that what I intend to model with an HO maybe stuck in there somewhere. Alright buddy, enjoy your weekend and week. By the way loved seeing your girls in the trailer. My two boys are grown now and not that into trains sadly. Cheers!

[@eagle6833]

Tim you need to patronize Andy Peterson at Peterson Supply. That is an amazing hobby store. They also do a lot of custom Atlas O runs. The last I heard Andy is doing a Reiner Beer reefer in Atlas O. I think he secured the rights to do that. Then north of you is Eastside Trains in Seattle. They have a lot of customers that come from Portland and Oregon. They are kind of like the Charles Ro of the West Coast. I know Steve Suskin and Johnny Rychlik of Eastside and have been a customer there since 2002. I won a Wabash Proto 1 Hudson on Ebay in 2002 and that started the relationship. But I support the local guy here in DC area as well. I have more repairs do drop off and a pile of material to work through. Which hobby shops did you patronize out here in the VA or MD area? I'm involved with the National Capitol Trackers out here. Love the club. Looking forward to COVID ending so I can run my scale stuff again.

[@eagle6833]

@@timstrainroom8007 I love this hobby but man is it pricy. At least now in my 40's I can acquire items that I want. It was torture to be in grad school in the early 2000's and be in my 20's and living off Ramon and see the new MTH or Lionel catalog and not be able to order what I wanted because I was not in the position in life to do so.

[@timstrainroom8007]

@@eagle6833 hey man, I hear you. When I was younger I was into trains around the Christmas tree, then I retired early, moved from Richmond VA to as far north in Baltimore MD as possible before getting into Baltimore County. Lived in the Gilford Neighborhood. Amazing spot in Baltimore. Went to a store in Cockeysville, MD, M.B. Kline Model Trains, still order from them. Nice folks there. Here in Portland I go to The Whistle Stop and Hobby Smith. Both good stores and reliable and the owners and staff are good guys. Thanks for the info on stores around here. Peterson’s is apparently in Albany, that’s a ways away. It’s doable, about an hour and a half from my house. I am gonna plan to do it one day soon. Seattle is a bit further, about three hours to get there. Eastside is in Kirkland, WA. I went there last fall for a mini vacation, stopped on a Saturday before coming back to Portland only to find them closed. Was bummed about that. Looked like an amazing shop. In DC a lot when back East. Didn’t know of the train stores there. When I fly back for a visit I’ll be sure to get to as many train shops as possible. I’ll try to update you when I get to Albany. Thanks again for the info.

[@eagle6833]

Thanks for doing that video Chris. I look forward to your other layout videos. So what attracts you to the black bonnets is the glossy black paint? Am I reading that right? Fantasy schemes are an acquired taste but if you love them go for them! :-) Did you see that Pat's Trains announced the other day another black bonnet limited run of GP7s and I think another locomotive. Whenever I went to York I lobbied, and would plead for MTH or Lionel to make a Northern Pacific Northern. Those of us who are NP (and Milwaukee Road fans) are rabid and dedicated. It takes a lot to get some of those models made. The Pennsylvania and New York Central fans have it so easy! LOL..... Maybe in the future when the pandemic ends you can do some videos similar to JD Stucks. A trip to your local hobby shop or visiting York. Enjoying seeing your take on the hobby Chris.

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Eagle. The glossy black paint is what drew my attention to the engine when I first saw it on the shelf. There are a number of things about the Black Bonnets that make them so interesting and unique that I love. I will check out the GP7 you mentioned, I did not see that yet! You are spot-on about the NYC and PRR models! Tons of those out there! I will look into a shop visit video as that could be a lot of fun. Great idea! Thanks again for checking out the videos here!

[@jakecollins3669]

I wish 3751 and 2926 would utilize the Blackbonnet paint scheme

[@mrsam6751]

The trains are amazing that tender is sharp. The passenger car are sticking too. Great work!! What state are you located in?

[@RBPTrains]

Thanks Steven! I’m an East Coast guy in the Mid Atlantic area.

[@Boilermaker86765]

Did you do a video on the mth Santa Fe and those cool aluminum passenger cars ?

[@RBPTrains]

Hi Mark, I did a run session on the channel but not a commentary video. Looking to do one in the future

[@mr.bl0ckm4nn]

Do you by chance have a Berkshire, which can include the Polar Express set if you have it?

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Nice engines. I'd like a vidio of Lionchief 2.0 engines run conventionally then in legacy type system so ill know what to expect when get one. I run conventionally on my layout as its a garden layout, being outside in the element s cant run legacy system. Lionchief works great and many of my engines are Converted to R C controlled now... Does cruse control work?, what sounds are missing ect. This would be helpful to anyone purchasing new equipment for conventional layouts . Thanks...

[@dannotarbartolo8830]

Would you be able to do a Collection Highlight on your MTH Blue Comet set?

[@RBPTrains]

You bet! Just uploaded. :) Thank you for the suggestion!

[@Nick-md2ro]

How can you tell how many has been made of a certain legacy model ?

[@Dfendr96]

I want to see the Bigboy

[@TheTrainboard]

I've been saving for 2 years for a big boy, finally snagged one, video to follow soon. Hope you added a big boy to your collection. Gary

[@thatconservativetrainguy3864]

I vote blue comet for video

[@RBPTrains]

Done! I will work on one.

[@thatconservativetrainguy3864]

I’m gonna take a wild guess and say you preordered the black bonet 2-10-10-2

[@RBPTrains]

Haha! I did pre-order but not the new Vision Line this time. :) I may see if some dealers order extra and then spring for one.

[@UPchallenger3985]

Can you run the steam engine with NKP 765’s whistle

[@nathandunn7383]

I wish I would have known about those black bonnets f3 can't find them anywhere

[@TheTrainboard]

Like you, I've long admired RBP's black bonnets and finally built both a freight set and a passenger set. The fantasy colors just pop against almost any background. So special. So glad RBP introduced me to black bonnets. Gary

[@elleryparsons5766]

Do they Have them in N and Ho?

[@RBPTrains]

Good question! I am not sure. I would have to research that one.

[@TheInterubranMan23]

Were black bonnet real?

[@trevithickrob]

Not that I recall. Earliest I ever heard about them was in a 1950's (not sure of exact year) Lionel Catalog. There was some foul up there, it was caught to late for the printing of some of the catalogs but the earliest they were released was by K-line

[@dr.trains119]

Is the black yellow and red santa fe a real paint scheme

[@dr.trains119]

Oh the diesel btw it's very nice all of them

[@RBPTrains]

Hi @Dr trains Bigboy, these are not real paint schemes. The manufacturers got creative with these. These two particular sets were offered through a partnership with Pat’s Trains in WV. Not prototypical paint but a lot of fun. Thanks for watching!

[@sierrajohnson1129]

is the black bonnet a fictitious livery or did it exist IRL ???????

[@wayneantoniazzi2706]

It's fictitous. The story goes like this: Back in the post-war era Lionel put out a catalog with a Santa Fe F-3 with the "Blackbonnet" scheme we see in Chris's video. The problem was, the catalog artist looked at a Kodachrome color slide of a real Santa Fe F3 with the "Warbonnet" scheme (red and silver) and due to a color freakout (which could happen with Kadachrome if the light on the subject was just right) the silver on the locomotive photographed black, and he made his catalog painting accordingly. It was a while before Lionel caught the catalog error. I've seen the photo by the way. So, the "Blackbonnet" scheme was a Lionel collector legend, Lionel never made any like that. Santa Fe DID, on the other hand, have a "Yellowbonnet" paint scheme where yellow was substituted for red, but not too many. For a fantasy locomotive the "Blackbonnet" looks pretty darn good though!

[@mistermadmachine6311]

😮matching coaches