Whats the best looking Diesel paint scheme?

[Boyd]

In your opinion, whats the best looking paint scheme on a diesel engine? My favorite engine is the SD40-2. Nice long engine with a little style.

[Anonymous]

Its all personal preferance, if you ask me, its LV snowbird.

[3railguy]

Southern Pacific black widow on F units is probably my favorite scheme.

[lionelsoni]

Warbonnet.

[passengerfan]

SP Daylight

[cnw1995]

Chicago and North Western GP-7.

See http://www.irm.org/cgi-bin/rsearch.cgi?diesel=Chicago+&+North+Western=1518

[rinzana]

Seaboard E8, With Warbonnet FM coming in second, third would have to go to GE Demonstrator.

[palallin]

MoPac Eagle in Jenks Blue and Gray.

[ChiefEagles]

[FJ and G]

The warbonnet outclasses them all. Other nice fallen flag liveries incl. D&H, CB&Q, ACL, Reading, Vermont, WP, LV and Chessie.

Of modern-day, I'd pick (equally): CP, BNSF pumpkin and UP

During the steam to diesel transition, most railroads used the opportunity to get away from the usual drab or black paint schemes on steam locomotives and go for colors that advertised their railroad to the public and created esprit within their own ranks.

It is most unfortunate that some like the NYC and PRR never fully utilized the talents of an artist. I believe that even Lowrey, who designed some of Pennsy equipment, wondered why the colors pallet was not better utilized. The low point came with Penn Central, however. They must have heeded Henry Ford's orders to "paint them in any color as long as they're black."

I had to put up with those drab schemes near my house in upstate NY.

[Anonymous]

Conrail's "White Face" sceme on the AC traction motored units (SD-70MAC, SD-80MAC). I remember seeing a new pair of 80's early in the morning during a light snow in Conway Yard. It was such a sight to behold. In a quick flash of blue, white, red, and black it was over as fast as it started. Since then,no sights I have seen even come close to that moment. Paint jobs do not need to be complex to be classy. I miss big blue.

[Anonymous]

Erie Lackawanna Gray Yellow and Maroon. Nothing even comes close and don't even talk to me about that POX conrail paint. look around here:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/el/el.html

Then make further comment.

[David Barker]

New Haven was different and exciting! It was called the "McGinnis scheme" after a gentleman who assumed control of the NYNH& H for a couple of years in the early 1950's. It was black, red, and white paint scheme, with the new block-style NH logo on the nose. I have a 1956 Gilbert American Flyer EP-5 and a K-Line EP-5 with the scheme. It was used on diesels as well.

[FJ and G]

John,

I should have included EL on the list.

David B.

Yes NH was esp. nice. Also not mentioned is their famous script on Boxcars that looked like John Hancock.

[laz 57]

BNSF pumpkin and Kansas City Southern
Laz57

[Anonymous]

RF&P passenger deisels are a personal favorite.
ACL purple is nice too. As is the minty Seaboard and Seaboard switcher black and red.

[Anonymous]

Chessie System, Really Stands Out.

[Anonymous]

How about old Baltimore and Ohio? Surprised no one mentioned that.

I also like the black and white NW scheme that Norfolk and Western used to use. It seems that manufacturers don't make the NW scheme too much, so it must not be that popular though.

[Boyd]

February issue of Trains magazine: page 10 picture of new Wisconsin & Southern SD40-2 in bright red and silver. Paint job would be a little flashy and loud to some people but it looks really nice to me.

[tschmidt]

I really am partial to Lionel's Atlantic Coast Line F3's and E6's. That purple with silver and gold trim looks great. The silver or purple cars look great behind them too!

Tom

[Anonymous]

bnsf

[Anonymous]

Not only is the LV snowbird paint scheme a good one but my favorite is the LV yellow jacket scheme which they used on their alco C-420. This paint scheme can be found on Lionel's C-420 # 6-28218.

[pbjwilson]

Illinois Central brown, orange, and yellow. Something about it makes me think of mid-america.
Also like the Rock Island black, red and white.
The Monon black and gold, very cool