Thanks Seth. The only reason I'm worried is that 58 was goofed up years ago with "The Veterans Locomotive" cab lettering and the flags on the pilot. I understand this was done because of the donor's wishes, out of respect to military vets, but with all due respect it makes the engine look awful and freaky. The tender lettering was so small I could hardly read it. Also back when 98 was running in the late 90's, some volunteers decided to paint up the smokebox grab irons in yellow paint which made 98 look really ridiculous. W&W doesn't have the best track record when it comes to painting things up so I'm praying that you get 98 right this time. That's all. It will be nice to see her run again and you guys have done a great job getting her fixed.

> Hi Danny. Having been involved in the
> repaint of #571 and #603 into the dark blue
> & gold striping scheme (to match the
> #410 & #581), I must say our volunteers
> did a great job, and I really like the dark
> blue with gold lettering. I think it is a
> scheme superior to the older pale blue w/
> yellow window framing. So now all four
> Bootons and the Kiamensi Springs (MP54) are
> matched - very sharp, in my opinion. I'm not
> shutting down your vision, but the blue and
> gold is kind of our style. I will say it was
> extremely cool uncovering the Lackawanna
> lettering when we sanded the #571 & #603
> down. Almost as cool as how you can still
> see Chessie System AND Baltimore & Ohio
> under #8408's W&W paint scheme. As for
> the #98, I think what you and others have
> suggested sounds extemely cool, but I will
> just be so jazzed to see her roll out of the
> shop, I'll form my opinions on how she's
> lettered later on. I'm sure our shop guys
> will do a fantastic job. Take care. Seth

> W&W doesn't have the best track record
> when it comes to painting things up

Alot of tourist lines have some ugly history for painting equipment, esp. in the 70s and 80s. I seem to remember all yellow consists at Strasburg with a big railroad crest on the locomotive tenders, not near so attractive as the pennsy-esque motif they've adopted now, and I also remember BM&R 425 being guilty of having the railroad name on the cab with giant "425" on the tender; when last out she was quite classy in a one-off RDG pacific inspired royal blue color. I'm sure W&W will look at what the rest of the industry is doing and paint 98 in some appropriate and attractive livery.

Wowak,

THe blue scheme on #425 has never been proven authentic, but I beleive the black with big tender numbers was actually similar to her look on the GM&N, no?

Rob

> Alot of tourist lines have some ugly history
> for painting equipment, esp. in the 70s and
> 80s. I seem to remember all yellow consists
> at Strasburg with a big railroad crest on
> the locomotive tenders, not near so
> attractive as the pennsy-esque motif they've
> adopted now, and I also remember BM&R
> 425 being guilty of having the railroad name
> on the cab with giant "425" on the
> tender; when last out she was quite classy
> in a one-off RDG pacific inspired royal blue
> color. I'm sure W&W will look at what
> the rest of the industry is doing and paint
> 98 in some appropriate and attractive
> livery.


trains@robertjohndavis.com

> but I beleive the black
> with big tender numbers was actually similar
> to her look on the GM&N, no?

Yes (IIRC from GM&N photos), the orginial "big tender number" lettering scheme on 425 was very much like her GM&N look (however I believe she carried her headlight on the smoke box front on the GM&N).

IIRC it was info supplied by the late Charlie Kachel to which 425's blue scheme was based on (supposedly the RDG tried the scheme on one Pacific during the late 20's). I never doubted the word of the "Big E", but perhaps Steve Gilbert could add more.

As for the Wilmington & Western, I do in fact like their current dark blue and gold scheme. IMO it's quite classy looking and MUCH nicer than the old "postal" blue and yellow colors.

IMO 98 looked her best during the 1970's and 80's with her black with gold pin-stripes scheme--then again I didn't have to clean the gunk off the pin-stripes every day either! Also, I can understand the railroad's desire to put Mr. Marshall's name on 98's cab what with that family's involvement with the organization from day one and the fact he gave 98 to the railroad. I'm sure the railroad will fix her up nice.

BTW, anyone remember the W&W's "President Washington" paint scheme that ex-CNR 2-6-0 92 carried for a while?

(IMO) Unlike an operating railroad museum (ie: IRM, Mid-Continent, etc) (where historically correct paint and lettering should be the norm), a "tourist railroad" or "scenic railway" certainly can be "allowed" its own identity as far as paint and lettering goes. The W&W's current dark blue and the NH&I's current dark red are two tastefully done examples. Heck I'm even happy to ride in the Arcade & Attica's ORANGE Boontons especially when there is a steam engine on the point!

Special note: one tourist railroad that chooses "to do it as good as any museum" in terms of historically correct paint and lettering schemes is the WK&S Railroad at Kempton, PA. Here the Reading, the Lackawanna, and the Lehigh and New England railroad names live on.

Regards,
Jim Robinson

Good points, Jim. Some thoughts on home-road identity...

Back in the 70's, I had a hard time getting used to the "Alton Road of the White Mountians" the Conway Scenic, but have come to appreciate their bright colors.

Of course, the Wolfeborough had B&HS #250 is dress black with a solid green train, and that was really sharp.

Steamtown went classy with the wine red "Vermont Valley" scheme before the end of the VT operations.

I never had a problem with Strasburg's bright red and the "yellow train" becuase they fit the business at hand.

The Valley Railroad has kept it "real" all these years with greens and blacks, nothing wrong with that. The R&N did too, before changing to red... also classy.

Actually, the most garish tourist trains seem to have stopped. The McHugh circus is long gone, and the Edaville yellow trains are slowly getting back to basics in thier new homes.

Rob

trains@robertjohndavis.com

> Wowak,

> THe blue scheme on #425 has never been
> proven authentic,

Never in color photos, but there are B&W photos of a RDG G-1sa with a diamond number plate which was supposedly painted blue. Its in one of the "Reading Company: History of a Coal Age Empire" books by James L. Holton. I have both volumes, but no scanner.

Now if we can just get someone to restore a Baldwin back to its original green with aluminum stripes scheme. This is the way hundreds of locos left the factory as the standard issue, but I have yet to see one restored as such.

> Now if we can just get someone to restore a
> Baldwin back to its original green with
> aluminum stripes scheme. This is the way
> hundreds of locos left the factory as the
> standard issue, but I have yet to see one
> restored as such.

I might be letting the secret out of the bag Smokebox, but look to your west in a year or so and you'll almost get your wish. Think green with gold pinstripping.

Astoria Railroad Preservation Association
jnewenhf@pacifier.com

I've been told that 98's tender is now INSIDE the backshop after patiently waiting its turn outside. The tender seems to be in good condition, and will only require some patching and sanding before being painted. Keep your eyes on our website for info about the grand unveiling of 98--how sweet would it be to have two steamers simmering away in front of Greenbank Station?!

Andy Gwiazda
WWRR Webmaster


Wilmington & Western Railroad
andygwiazda@hotmail.com

Hopefully I'll be able to make it out to the Thursday work session, and reveal the location and condition of the things mentioned in this subject! It would indeed be sweet to see both 58 and 98 sitting outside of Greenbank....now if only 92 could join them...... !

-Dave Haring

> I've been told that 98's tender is now
> INSIDE the backshop after patiently waiting
> its turn outside. The tender seems to be in
> good condition, and will only require some
> patching and sanding before being painted.
> Keep your eyes on our website for info about
> the grand unveiling of 98--how sweet would
> it be to have two steamers simmering away in
> front of Greenbank Station?!

> Andy Gwiazda
> WWRR Webmaster


Wilmington and Western Railroad
SteamTrain84@aol.com

Well, I got out to the shop last Thursday and 98's tender is finally being rebuilt! It is placed right in front of #98 on the shop track. The shop crew worked carefully on stripping more paint off of her tender. Hopefully this process will conclude soon, and patch work on the tender tank and body, and repainting will commence.

Dave Haring
-W&W Trainman / Shop Crew
-R&T Shay Railroad Fireman / Conductor

> Hopefully I'll be able to make it out to the
> Thursday work session, and reveal the
> location and condition of the things
> mentioned in this subject! It would indeed
> be sweet to see both 58 and 98 sitting
> outside of Greenbank....now if only 92 could
> join them...... !

> -Dave Haring


The Wilmington and Western Railroad
SteamTrain84@aol.com