I have 2 ATSF locomotives, one is an RS-2 blue and gold warbonnet scheme, and an RS-3 zebra stripe, both numbered 2099. Finally decided to ask how two locomotives owned by the same railroad have the same number. Presumably both were in servce at the same time, or were they?
Bear "It's all about having fun."
This is the best information that I have on the 2099. There was only 1 locomotive numbered 2099. It started out numbered 2110 then renumbered 2099. The complete history is below.
The table shown by caldreamer gives you all the info you need. BSZ paint means Black Silver Zebra, BYT2 is Blue Yellow Trim(?) 2. However, the Aug52 date for the blue-yellow paint appears to be a typo, as this paint scheme was not introduced before the beginning of the sixties. Should probably read Aug62.
then it looks like the zebra stripe RS-3 I haveis actually an RS-2, and it is the same locomotive that was repainted from one color scheme to another.
Much like Athearn called a GP-9 without dynamics a GP-7, sometimes they like to call an RS-2 with a crossways exhaust stack an RS-3. Many of the long way stack RS-2's (air cooled turbo) were upgraded to the water cooled turbo (crossways stack) so that is NOT a real spotting difference. And likewise an RS-3 with a long way stack is not an RS-2. The main spotting difference is the battery box behind the cab (short hood). With is an RS-3, without is an RS-2. So, is the model an RS-3, which would be wrong for #2099, or is it an RS-2 and someone just called it an RS-3?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If the OP's black zebra-stripe model is from Kato, it is an RS-2 (as is correct for the prototype). Interestingly, not only the paint scheme, but also the horn position changed with time. A pic from 1957 http://www.railarchive.net/vintagediesel/atsf2099.htm
shows a pretty unusual location (for Santa Fe Alco RS engines) with the horn on top of the cab roof. A pic from the early 60s https://swrails.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/atsf-2099_web.jpg?w=600&h=402
shows the horn(s) in the more "normal" location, on the hood(s).
JW
AHM did 2099 in the blue with yellow strip and ends scheme, and it too is a model of an RS-2. They also sold it in a red and silver warbonnet scheme with a different number (completely wrong - can't read the number on the pic I found though. Looks like maybe 21xx which would make it one of the RDSs. Wait, found a better pic - 5707, an SD45 number LOL ). Kato did 2099 in the black and silver, and there's a Proto 1000 RS-2 2099 in the blue and yellow, also a correct RS-2.
Then there is the 'fooler' - 2098 is an RS-2, but it only aquired SF zebra stripe paint in 1988. It originally belonged to Kennecott Copper.
It's the Bachmann RS-3, first Bachmann I have bought in a long time based on the reviews. I am convinced it is actually an RS-2. Either way I am not unhappy since both 2099's will not be running on my layout at the same time.
The Bachmann one is definitely an RS-3. It has the battery box on the walkway behind the cab. Looks like Bachmann did it in both paint schemes, the zebra stripe one being an ordinary DC loco and the blue and yellow one has the EZ App Bluetooth control.