Who decides or creates and approves what kind of paint scheme a locomotive will be painted? My favorites are the BNSF pumpkin with blackletters and the Chessie system yellow, blue and orange.
For diesels, the railroad buying the engines normally tells the manufacturer how to paint and letter the engine, so it comes from the builder fully painted. A railroad can design it's own scheme, but (particularly in the early days of diesels) the railroad could work with the builder's art/design people to create the scheme. The builders often had paint patterns they would recommend, generally based on demonstrator units they had designed, so you can see certain patterns in schemes designed by EMD that are different from Alco or other builders from the period.
BNSF's scheme was (at least in part) designed by a contest or at least with input from employees...I think they got to vote on which of several schemes they preferred. However, the orange and green BNSF scheme is based on - maybe better to say 'inspired by' - the old Great Northern paint scheme from the early 1940's.
http://www.gngoat.org/402d.jpg
The B&M and NH had what was called the McGinnis scheme. I believe McGinnis was the president of both companies. Not sure if they were his persnal designs or ones their design people came up with during his time.
Have fun,
Richard
cowman The B&M and NH had what was called the McGinnis scheme. I believe McGinnis was the president of both companies. Not sure if they were his persnal designs or ones their design people came up with during his time. Have fun, Richard
"This effort, which was supervised by Lucille McGinnis, the artistically trained wife of New Haven president Patrick McGinnis, was actually implemented by Herbert Matter with the assistance of Norman Ives."
Ed
If you look at a lot of the 1950's F unit schemes, they are very similar. LV, Rio Grande, B&M are classic examples of EMD styling with multiple stripes along the sides coming down to the anticlimber on the nose. The RDG and PRR had variations of this basic style too.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
Early paint schemes originated by EMD. EMD stylist would present alternatives to the railroad and work with them to finalize design.
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.
cowmanThe B&M and NH had what was called the McGinnis scheme.
BM F units were all delivered in Maroon and Gold, as designed by EMD, as were the GP7s, and later SWs.
Alco RS-2, RS-3, and S-4, S-5 switchers also showed up on the property in Maroon and Gold.
http://www.faracresfarm.com/jbvb/rr/bmrr/b_and_m.html
A grand total of 12 locomotives received McGinnis paint, the rest finished their carreers in Maroon and Gold. 50 GP9s were delivered in bluebird scheme.
On the STRATTON & GILLETTE the decision is mine. I don't want the SGRR to look silly, so I try to stay close to what real railroads looked like in 1954.
.
I find mostly horizontal stripes work best.
-Kevin
Living the dream.