Ken I am afraid that I have to disagree with you. In my opinion the Dulux Gold version was a real step down from the original gold and white. Though in fact the original was gold without the white outline but that just did not provide enough contrast. And was it actually even that or was it a true shade of yellow. Anyone know for sure? Now check the photograph below of E7A (EA7) SLSF 2004 "Dan Patch". It was taken five months later with a few interesting differences. It is still in lined gold as is E7A (EA7) SLSF 2003 "Steel Dust" behind it. The skirts over the fuel tanks of both units have been removed while E8A SLSF 2008 still had its. Train No 710 never rated three E-units but it happened that SLSF 2003 had failed the previous day and was being towed to Springfield. Also, SLSF 2004 still has the home-built doors over the coupler that were added by the Springfield Shops. The original pneumatic system that retracted the coupler, at least sometimes, so that flush doors could be closed was finally rendered inoperative. Louis Marre and I were standing on the Garrison Avenue bridge to take this shot but the coupler doors were still open. I went back down trackside and partially closed them to improve the shot, but could not close them all the way. So here is the question. In order to shut the sheet-metal doors the coupler either had to be partially retracted or else it was able to be lowered vertically. Somehow I think it was the latter, but do any of you know for sure? Bottom line is that the doors would not close with the coupler in the "working" position. Incidentally, by this time in August 1960, SLSF 2003 had already had its coupler doors removed although the hinges were still in place. In all, it appears that the summer of 1960 was transition time for things like paint schemes, fuel tank skirts and coupler doors. Gordon
Gordon, Yes, it was really a shade of dark yellow. I seem to recall duPont called the paint color "Deluxe Gold". That is just out of my memory, I do not have any source reference. I never saw a gold and white outlined Racehorse unit that was clean. One I clearly recall was E7A (EA7) SLSF 2001 "Ranger" coming through Rolla in that livery looking just awful. I was at the Rolla depot when it came in on No 3. It looked terrible, but I recall seeing some blue showing through under places where the black had come off of the nose coonskin. Royal Blue, not the lighter powder blue like on the Herald King decal set. I recall thinking "Ranger" looked like the old, beat-up senior sire of the stable! Back then, had to be 1962 or so, I noted the road number and horse name of each of the E-units I saw in a little notebook. I didn't record anything else I saw. Subsequently, in one of our many moves, I lost the notebook! It had notations in it of every Frisco E-unit I saw from St. Louis to Newburg in my four years at MSM. I recall I had all of them except for one or two. Some guy at the Rolla depot told me they had a total of 23 of them. Ken Ken
E7A (EA7) SLSF 2005 Ken I agree, the gold and white could look pretty awful if it was not maintained, but in good condition it was truly stunning. As for the later version Dulux, that really is the way it was spelled, is a brand now produced by ICI. Dulux gold was the paint that the Pullman Company adopted at some point, I think in the late 1940s, for lettering heavyweight sleeping cars rather than the gold leaf they had been using previously. It was probably, though I would be glad if someone could verify this, also the paint used in the Hungerford era for lettering on steam passenger locomotives. Humans are notorious for having poor color memory, but somehow what was used later on the E-units seemed more yellow than imitation gold. Of course then there was always the original scheme for the E7As (EA7s). This shot of SLSF 2005 is in Fort Smith in September 1949. The photograph is not by me, though I certainly remember them looking this way. It shows the original coupler doors that were flush with the pilot and involved pneumatically retracting the whole draft gear.
I think that original E8A factory gold was called "Metalli-Chrome" or some such. And "Dulux' was the way Du Pont spelled the later color. Which I would describe as kind of a "yellow-ochre" if you were looking for it at an art shop. Tom
I count it as a sad day when I do not learn something new. This thread has awakened my mind as to why I have hundreds of test paint in my garage from my wife's trips to the paint stores. Now, if I could just dump them all together, maybe I would have enough for the entire house. BTW, nice discussion.
Man , what a thread. This is a fantastic ride through memory lane on the beautiful E8As. Someone asked early in the thread what color red was used, and, unless I missed it as I was reading the threads, it was never answered. I have an undecorated E7A (EA7) and E8A to paint. It would be great to know exactly what color red to use. I have to say that the gold with white outline is my favorite scheme, but I agree also that unless the unit was kept clean, it would have been horrible. However, even my cars look horrible if allowed to get as dirty as the engines did later in life. So the key to any of them looking good was to keep them clean. I must add that no amount of keeping them clean would help the cigar band or the last Mandarin orange and white scheme look good. Just my opinion. Thanks, Terry
HWB, That photo was taken of the "Texas Special" leaving Dallas Union Station southward in 1952. It has been published numerous times. Ken McElreath
Beautiful picture. More, please. There seems to be a lack of pictures of the Tulsa Union Depot. I know there must be more floating out there than the ones here on this site. If you have any, it would be appreciated if you would post them. Also, any historical information on the depot would be appreciated, also. Thanks, Terry
On one posting inquiry about this photograph, it was noted that the photographer was R. S. Plummer. He shot many great Texas Special photographs over the years. Tom
