I've been happliy sticking to UP on my recent layout locos (though stretching the time frame from transition to late 2000s). I've recently come to realize that UP had some interesting locos that may have been acquisitions or subsidiaries and that opens up some interesting alternatives in HO locos offerred. Not ready to leap to custom painting, I was happy to come across two locos this year that fit my pistol. First was a LifeLike Proto 2000 GP50 that was the yellow/gray UP paint scheme but lettered for Missouri Pacific, accurate as that was done ofter the merger or whatever. A second was an Atlas RS-1 lettered for Spokane International. I enjoy the variation and the history, plus the ability to add a loco type that UP may not have had UP lettered.
I don't begin to understand the "heritage" loco offerings related to UP, but need to check out that angle also. I imagine those with different roads enjoy similar opportunities.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Paul,The happy thing about mergers it takes years to repaint every locomotive into their new paint scheme.
I still see patched Santa Fe units and patched SP units on NS and CSX on routine bases.The sad part is some railfans and modelers calls these patched locomotives "heritage locomotives" which they are not.I even heard older freight cars still in their original paint and lettering called "heritage" cars.
The point is having patched locomotives and some original freight cars adds flavor to a car or locomotive roster.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
peahrensNot ready to leap to custom painting
The nice thing about modeling "patch-outs" is that, by the very nature of the hastily applied paint, you don't have to be an expert at masking and in many cases, a good quality rattle-can will suffice for the paint.
Alternately, there is decal film available in road-specific colors from Microscale and perhaps others.
http://www.microscale.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MD&Category_Code=TF&Product_Code=&Search=&Sort_By=newest&Per_Page=40
I don't know the exact number for Armour Yellow but someone at Microscale could help.
Just the other day I saw a pretty beat up S-P SD-45 with the cab side painted yellow and UP numbers applied. Like this one:
http://www.trainweb.org/arkansastrains/railroad/upsd40/UP2739/IMH61924.jpg
You can customize your locomotive roster with only a little effort...
Have fun! Ed
peahrensI don't begin to understand the "heritage" loco offerings related to UP, but need to check out that angle also. I imagine those with different roads enjoy similar opportunities.
Union Pacific Commemorative Locomotives and "Heritage" Locomotives:
https://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/commemorative/index.htm
Train Pride - Union Pacific Historic and Commemorative equipment: Steam, Diesel Electric, Passenger Cars
https://www.up.com/aboutup/special_trains/
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
In recent decades, it can be interesting to see the mix of power caused by run-throughs and power-sharing/trading. Driving to and from work along the parallel CP/BNSF Twin Cities - Chicago mainlines, I often see engines from Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, with occassional visits from Indiana Rail and FMN (formerly N de M), plus CP / BNSF engines and previous companies (BN, Soo, Milwaukee etc.).