I know this has been closed for a while but did any of the E7A (EA7) units last long enough to have to face the Mandarin orange and white paint scheme? As a rule I have very few ready to run (RTR) engines. I either remove paint from purchased second hand locomotives or, more often then not, stock up on undecorated engines. I trade shells from good power plants. I have seen several options for two undecorated E7A units just picked up. I collect photographs. In one it appears to have, naturally at an odd angle, a Mandarin orange and white second locomotive with approximately same length and space in port holes making me think is not an F unit? So came to you fellows hoping for the word from the "burning bush." I realize I am slow in sharing but office is finally cleared of old hobby and can proceed with my engine works and that is where I hope to start sharing my photographs with you so they can be picked apart. I am not a perfectionist but sure like things to look believable. Happy New Year everyone, Rick
I do not believe any of the six Frisco E7A (EA7) units ever wore the Mandarin orange and white paint scheme. Several of the E8As did, much to the dismay, in my opinion, of anyone who saw them in Mandarin orange and white. E7A (EA7) SLSF 2001 did wear the red and yellow austerity "cigar band" scheme, however. That looked bad enough! Ken
Thank you all. There will be enough Mandarin orange and white on my track with out bothering my E8As or GP7s. My intention was to stay with race horse colors from factory if can match paint. At 58 I have given up trying to use spray guns and still use spray cans with careful mask and simply take time. Have seen some brand new color photographs of a just delivered E8A that was yet to show road wear and seems to have been a simple enough proper red. Will see if can do you fellows justice. Rick
Mike needs to use some thinner viscosity grease. The relays are frozen due to your current temperatures.
Charles, Only 2 of Frisco's E7A (EA7) units were ever lettered for The Texas Special. These locomotives, SLSF 2000 and SLSF 2003, received The Texas Special lettering on the nose curve and high side panels. The nose featured a lone star. Both of these units are in the first photograph you posted. It was taken just before the units were shipped from the General Motors (GM) Electro-Motive Division (EMD) plant at La Grange, Illinois. The other E7A units, SLSF 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, were delivered in a similar red and yellow scheme but on the nose and cab sides these units had blue and and white coonskin heralds on stainless steel engraved panels. The heralds included a rectangular letter board below with the lettering St. Louis - San Francisco Ry. They did not feature The Texas Special lettering or the nose star. Both of the as delivered paint schemes were short lived, lasting only about 3 years. Starting in 1950, the E7A units were rebuilt cosmetically to more closely resemble the new E8A units after they were received. The rebuilding included eliminating the stainless steel side panels, removing the square and rectangular side windows, adding round porthole windows and Farr stainless steel panels on the upper carbody. At that time they were repainted into the more traditional red scheme. Over their remaining service lives most would ultimately receive up to three variations of the eight basic red paint schemes identified, primarily differing in striping and lettering colors. The second photograph in your post shows the first variant of the basic red scheme. None of the E7A units were painted Mandarin orange and white. Hope this helps. Thanks! Mark
It is surprising how far-flung the Redbirds were. If we exclude the passenger routes which were protected by bull mooses, then I believe that only trains Nos 207/208, Nos 409/404, and Nos 609/604 were never handled by the E-units. It would seem that the FP7As and steam-generator equipped GP7s protected those runs. Perhaps the Highline seems to be the least probable location see a Redbird in action.
The Frisco applied (circa 1962) the cigar band or austerity livery to one E7A (EA7) SLSF 2001 and at least four E8Ss. The units so painted were not assigned to any particular passenger train, but moved about the system in a pool arrangement, and they pulled whatever train was next in the pool. As I recall, it took 11 or 12 days to make a circuit of the system.
Karl: So the cigar band on the E units predate it being applied to the F/FA-1s? My understanding, and I can't even remember why, was that the cigar band was applied to some F/FA-1s beginning in 1964?
