Types of Locomotive Paint Schemes

A comprehensive video guide to locomotive paint schemes. Learn about delivery schemes, repaints, heritage schemes, and many more.
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:27 Delivery Schemes
3:22 Rebuilds
4:42 Secondhand Schemes
7:17 General Repaints
10:10 Demonstrator Units
12:40 Lease Units
14:14 Primer Units
15:13 Heritage Schemes
19:25 Other Commemorative Schemes
21:53 Executive Paint Schemes
23:18 Advertisements & Promotions
24:54 Vandal Schemes
26:22 Movie Schemes
28:18 Fantasy Paint Schemes
31:39 Unpainted Models
32:57 Honorary Mention
34:32 Conclusion

[@modelrailpreservation]

I don't think it's ever been fully confirmed, but the reason Lionel showed the F3 in red and black in 1948, was the person who was in charge of adding color to the drawings (It has been confirmed by Robert Sherman, Lionel's catalog artist at the time, he drew the F3 but someone else added the color) was working off a photo of the real one, and in some photos back then, depending on the ambient light, the silver can indeed appear black. So, being in New York and having not seen an actual Santa Fe warbonnet, it appears they went with the colors in the photo, which appeared to be black instead of silver.

[@NorCraftLinerz]

5:57 CSX is Unstoppable now. Cuz the engine number says #777 lol. Gives me the AWVR Vibes.

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

Oh my goodness! I was only finding a random Conrail unit to illustrate the CSX patch. At that point, I somewhat forgot about the Unstoppable number for some reason, but you're absolutely right! Even though CSX renumbered some of its SD70MAC fleet to the 4500 series, some of its ES44ACs are in the 700 series, including 777. At least the railroad rebuilt its "Crazy Eights" locomotive into an SD40-3 No. 4389, whether you like it or not. Thanks for pointing that out!

[@kelvintorrence5994]

that cammo unit from u.p. was sweet. thank you verterns

[@mityace]

Well done, however I do have one heritage unit that you missed. A while after the original run of NS heritage units, it painted an SDP-45-2 into Erie Lackawanna colors. Some people might argue that it's not a heritage unit as it was originally purchase by the EL and delivered in a nearly identical scheme to the original paint. And, the P is not a misprint. They were not actually passenger units. Instead, they had an extra fuel tank where the steam generator would be. This was designed to cut down on stops on the old Erie west end to Chicago. Also, there are a number of reasons that a wrap is used. 1) It's cheaper than painting a unit. 2) It is "printed" on special printers so that the wrap can go from the printer to the unit. 3) Maybe the best reason is that they can be removed and the underlying paint scheme is still there. This makes them ideal for short term schemes like ads. For example, NASCAR uses wraps extensively as a car may have a different scheme every week.

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

You are right about the Erie-Lackawanna heritage SD45-2, although it's technically not the same type as an SDP45. For timing reasons, I did not intend to mention every single heritage locomotive in this video. However, I agree with your comment regarding the purposes of vinyl wrap for an engine. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@codyhilton1750]

Excellent video. Finally someone showed the paint scheme of CPKC that I might add I do not care for.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

It needs more detail like some black and yellow up around cab.

[@victoryleadership496]

Nice variety, and well done. Your question about wraps has various reasons. The most common is the ease of "printing" the design on a huge plotter and applying the colors without the need to strip and prime the locomotive body. The sticky-back vinyl film is chip-resistant and could be a paint replacement option for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional painting methods. Tech's not quite there yet.

[@dominicfrizzi2563]

I’m certainly biased because I grew up with it, but wheeling and Lake Erie’s tiger paint scheme is one of the best

[@cncpreferred848]

The AWVR is close in name to the short line railroad AVR, Allegheny Valley Railroad, operating just North of Pittsburgh Pa. I live about 1 mile south of the old Pennsylvania Railroad main line, now Norfolk Southern, with the Radabaugh siding that runs past my house, now owned by Westmoreland County for Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad operation. There had been tunnels between Greensburg station and Radabaugh siding, so any over dimensional trains had to pass my home, then divert north back to the main line on the other side of Greensburg. The tunnels collapsed in the late 70s or early 80s (I can't remember the exact date) but they simply daylighted (removed the small mountain section that had the tunnels) that section of the tracks. The southern line that splits from the Radabaugh line, runs down to Connellsville where it ties into CSX main line, then on to West Virginia. Good video. I like to learn the history of the railroads. Railroads turned the US North American Continent into a nation, as did railroads all over the world. Thanks for this video.

[@wceyuki]

The first locomotive to get CPKC paint is confirmed - it's supposedly former CP ES44AC #9375.

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

I hope you found that piece of information from a reliable source, but thank you for the comment.

[@user-sg7cv1gv5n]

Brian: A wonderfully researched and presented story. Very professional. Congratulations. Phil Barbara

[@Jennifer-K5LA]

Beautifully compiled and executed! 😊

[@caseyvillemodelrailroad3877]

Great vidio, like the accurate paint sceams and my railroad is going to be getting some Patches for sure.Thanks for the morning coffee...

[@maxnikolenko2302]

I like it. Please make more. Its nice to see different colors and schemes. Mabe do train cars next??

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

That would be a bit more complicated, but I won’t say never. Thanks for your suggestion.

[@georgetsakiris4969]

A fun and informative video. It was well researched and presentated. I learned a lot!

[@coppermike5550]

Well done sir!! Salute!!

[@MUEagle2002]

Good video Brian!! Informative and helpful. 😎😎😎

[@armandoperez7967]

I really love the fantasy paint schemes! Some of these should definitely become real, like the Santa Fe ES44AC!

[@kelvintorrence5994]

great video I learned a lot \\

[@gusshadleythelunaticfromar7125]

Great Info. Well Done .

[@vincentcalvelli6452]

Thank you for informative video.

[@VibrancySirJuke]

CNW cancelled their SD80MAC order not because Union Pacific eventually bought them out; but because of GM-EMD's LaGrange plant being overloaded with SD70MAC orders from BN. CNW, hence cancelled their locomotive order for GE 9-44CWs and AC4400CWs. 31:24

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

I would more likely agree with your feedback if you have found this information from an accurate source. Thanks for the comment.

[@armandoperez7967]

It’s going to get interesting because CPKC has 60 new locomotives on order from WABTEC. We will soon see if they have a new scheme or if some come painted for CP and some come painted for KCS. For some reason no locomotives have been repainted for CPKC even after more than a year after this merger’s approval.

[@genejablonski9909]

Great video ... thanks

[@gregsurrell598]

I have 2 Tyco versions the ALCO Century 430. One Santa Fe with the classic red on silver scheme. The other is a Spirit of 76. There is a real C430 at museum in Green Bay.

[@armandoperez7967]

BNSF, please bring back the Santa Fe name and paint schemes!

[@Whathandleisavailable]

Checking in to see if anyone else saw a Metra Jimmy John’s engine.

[@295g295]

While watching this, I was expecting to see the NJ Transit locomotive decorated to honor Atlas model railroad track company, which is based in New Jersey.

[@295g295]

NJ Transit also has heritage units, such as EL and JC. Look for Yt/ retired railfan horn guy.

[@beeble2003]

"This is a video guide that will help you classify locomotive paint schemes as new, repainted, ordinary, or unusual." OK. But why do I need to do that? Is there a test on this that nobody told me about?

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

What do you mean there’s a test? Absolutely NOT. I wasn’t trying to test or trick anybody. This video is just for fun. Maybe I should have said “identify paint schemes” instead of “classifying them”. You know this video is not meant to be perfect and that’s okay. My apologies for the confusion, but I hope that answers your question.

[@genesisrailfan1507]

27:55 What is it with 20th Century & CP engines?

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

Probably a coincidence.

[@miguelgullon5655]

10:50 Can someone explain to me about *WHY IS THERE A BRITISH RAIL CLASS 70 IN THE BACKGROUND?!*

[@BrianLaRosastrains]

I think Class 70 is the General Electric PowerHaul series PH37ACmi diesel locomotive built in Erie, Pennsylvania. It might have stayed in this facility primarily for testing purposes. Hope this answers your question.