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Gt Northern

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Monday, April 3, 2006 1:29 PM
GN always used green and orange, originally with yellow stripes separating the colors. The yellow striping stopped being used when GN went to the simplified paint scheme in 1962. GN also used the same paint scheme on freight or passenger engines. Some other railroads had different paint schemes for freight and passenger engines, for example NP used dark / light green on passenger diesels, and black / yellow on freight or switch engines.

BNSF revived a version of the EB scheme in the nineties using orange and green, in the last year they announced a modified version with the new 'swoosh' logo that is orange and black.
Stix
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Robe Valley, Wa.
  • 719 posts
Posted by GN-Rick on Sunday, April 2, 2006 9:50 PM
The answer is-never. Great Northern always used orange and green for
their equipment. On switchers and road switchers everything from the
walkways down was black, but the hoods remained in orange and green.
Milwaukee Road used orange and black. Occasionally, the green on GN
equipment weathered and darkened, but black was not used.
Rick Bolger Great Northern Railway Cascade Division-Lines West
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: PtTownsendWA
  • 1,445 posts
Posted by johncolley on Sunday, April 2, 2006 5:52 PM
Ah, but then the question is...when did they go to orange and black for freight engines? jc5729
jc5729
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Friday, March 31, 2006 8:26 AM
Many thanks guys
Alex
  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: Robe Valley, Wa.
  • 719 posts
Posted by GN-Rick on Thursday, March 30, 2006 1:21 PM
This is one of those questions that can lead into philosophical discussions.
According to an article in MR several years ago, dealing with the restoration
of the FT demonstrator, EMD 103, it was stated that there are something like
25 to 30 different shades of what is called Pullman Green. The version that
Great Northern used is darker and more browni***han, for example, Floquil
Pullman green. Pollyscale (Floquil acrylic paint) makes a 'Great Northern'
green which I find to be quite close. A thing to remember is on real equipment,
the paint will fade-or darken-as it ages. Plus, the fact that different lots of the
same catalog number of paint can vary in shade as well can affect what one is
trying to match. Because of the fade issue, there is a little wiggle room.
GN Empire Builder green was used on all diesel locomotives up to April of 1967
when the railroad made their strange change to Big Sky Blue. It was also
used on some freight equipment and all passenger cars up until that change
too.
Rick Bolger Great Northern Railway Cascade Division-Lines West
  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Lewiston ID
  • 1,710 posts
Posted by reklein on Thursday, March 30, 2006 9:53 AM
I'm not sure if this will answewr your question but check the Dec.'91' issue of MR. theres a great color centerfold there.
In Lewiston Idaho,where they filmed Breakheart pass.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Gt Northern
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, March 30, 2006 9:23 AM
Firstly thanks to all who gave information on Roof colour for Gt Nothern Passenger Cars. My next question is what colour is Empire Green? Is this a darker or lighter version of Pullman gree and when did the Gt Northern start to apply this colour to it's stock. Was this a frieght only colour or was it only found on the Empire builder.

Many thanks in advance for your help

Alex

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