In this picture from the Frisco Archive. SLSF 801 in the original paint looks like the black paint is weathering thin and exposing red paint underneath. How bizarre! http://frisco.org/mainline/wp-conte...ssee-in-January-1969-Rail-Junction-Slides.jpg
Keith, Is the red paint a primer coat? Commercial aircraft have green or yellow primer and the B1-B has green. Oops, Andre answered my question two minutes ago. Joe
Mark Davidson (mark) suggested that SLSF 801 might have been a GE U25B demonstrators. However, checking resources reflects that General Electric (GE) U25B demonstrators GE 753-756 became Frisco units SLSF 804-807 and GE 51-55 became Frisco units SLSF 811-815 but not in sequential order. Units 51 became 812, 52 became 814, 53 became 815, 54 became 813, and 55 became 811. Some of the GE U25B demonstrator units had a red roof, but since 801 was not one it is curious that it is showing red undergarments indicative that the primer was not properly prepared before the application of black paint. Pictures of two variations of painting on GE U25B demonstrators.
Just finished reading the nice article about the Union Pacific U25B high-hood locomotives in the current issue of Diesel Era, my favorite railroad magazine. I think I mentioned this earlier. Good article, lots of great pictures of the handsome yellow UP units. UP, over time, had quite a few of these high-hood U25Bs. But, no mention at all of the eight Frisco high-hood U25Bs. The Frisco bought four U25B high-hoods, SLSF 800-803, then quickly bought four demonstrator units from GE, SLSF 804-807, not long after UP bought theirs, giving SLSF eight high-hood U25Bs. How come we get no mention in the article? Just asking. K
It said the Southern Pacific (SP) had some? I would have to question their source there. SP had 68 units I believe, but none with a high hood. Or am I misunderstanding what you meant. The UP units were gone by 1972 although a couple were rebuilt into slugs but not for the UP. The UP had 4 destroyed in one wreck, that were not rebuilt. The Frisco as we know traded theirs in to GE and after a brief Conrail stint they got the torch.
Here is one UP wreck photo I have stolen off the internet at some point. I have one or two more also of this wreck.
Here is a high hood converted to a slug. Note the euro style steps were changed out but the unique headlights and fuel tank are still identifiers.
Steve, Oooops! I made a mistake. I wrote that post from memory, which always is a danger it seems. The Diesel Era article contained a high hood U25B picture that also included a UP U50D coupled to the U25B. They noted that the Southern Pacific (SP) also bought a few U50Ds - three in fact. There was no mention that the SP had any high hood U25Bs. My mistake, I need to check my work better! I corrected the original posting. K
HA no problem Ken. That is a relief and sure happens to me too. At least it forced me to post some pictures right?