The paint question

[HWB]

So how did Frisco arrive at a color scheme that none of can seem to match? Well it's not entirely their falt and it wasn't done to foil us modelers. In 1965 Frisco played host to EMD GP35 and DD35 demonstrators. The demonstrators spent a couple or so weeks traveling between St. Louis and Springfield. In that time they were not involved in any grade crossing accidents. The Frisco attributed this to the paint scheme applied to the demonstrators and thus ordered all future locomotives in that color. That's a true story

Do these look familiar?

http://www.frisco.org/vb/picture.php?albumid=28&pictureid=231

http://www.frisco.org/vb/picture.php?albumid=28&pictureid=230

[meteor910]

Yep! The Frisco obviously liked the GP35 as they bought a bunch (but the first batch was in black & yellow), but did not go for the DD35 - which was probably overkill for the SLSF. But, it would have been pretty neat seeing these things grind their way up Dixon Hill! The "orange" color EMD used on the demo units was Chevrolet Engine Block Red. Frankly, I like the Frisco version better, with black trucks and fuel tank.

The GP35 proved to be a pretty good engine through the years, though it was a bit of a maintenance shop hog. The EMD 567 under the hood was working pretty hard to deliver its 2500HP. The '40's, 45's and 38's that followed brought forth the EMD 645, and better reliability.

Ken

[HWB]

I agree that the demo's are a little on the flashy side. I do like that DD35 and it is too bad that Frisco didn't buy into them. I wonder if left in existence what the paint scheme would look like today?

maybe?

http://www.frisco.org/vb/picture.php?albumid=31&pictureid=247

[meteor910]

I'd guess that the few DD35's that were sold have all gone to the trade-in scrapper long ago.

Ken

[Sirfoldalot]

YEP - Should be able to see that coming at you a mile away.
HWB -- Nice photos.
That should put the "paint" question to rest. :)