Over the years the 844 has worn several different paint schemes. I have always been puzzled as to why it was painted differently over the years. Also what the reasoning was for each paint job.
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B&O946 posted:Over the years the 844 has worn several different paint schemes. I have always been puzzled as to why it was painted differently over the years. Also what the reasoning was for each paint job.
Just going from memory:
1) Delivered in basic black, as a coal burner. Light gray smokebox front door. Why? That was UP "standard".
2) Converted to oil burner, and Wing Wings added (smoke lifters) in 1945. Again UP "standard".
3) Late 1946 most passenger assigned steam locomotives were painted two-tone gray. Why? Change in UP "standard".
4) Approximately early 1950s to mid 1950s, UP "standard" was modified to paint all the roller bearing journal box covers & wheel center hubs on engine truck wheels, bright aluminum. The passenger assigned steam locomotives, began to be returned to basic black, as they were outshopped from heavy repairs, and returned to service.
4) By the mid to late 1950s, any of the remaining FEF class locomotives were assigned to freight service between Council Bluffs and Cheyenne. Late 1950s, 844 placed in snow melting service, in Council Bluffs, IA. Still basic black.
5) Early 1960s, due to the delivery of new EMD GP30 units, in the 800 number series, 844 was renumbered to 8444, and began her "special service" excursion career. Since she was operated and controlled by the UP Mechanical Department, they decided to "doll her up" with bright aluminum walkway edges, tire rims, and Wind Wing edges. Why? Because the Chief Mechanical Officer liked her that way!
6) When the operation & control of 8444 came under the Operating Dept. (1980s?), they began to tone down the "dolled up" appearance to more resemble her "original in service" look.
7) Sometime in the 1980s, 8444 was repainted back into her "passenger service" two tone gray styling.
8) In late 1989, the GP30 diesel was retired, and she received her original number, i.e. 844. During an overhaul, she was also returned back to basic black, with the bright aluminum journal covers. She remained that way through October 2010.
9) In November 2010, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of 844's first excursion, she received the "dolled up" appearance again with the bright aluminum "trimmings".
10) Today, ever since 2011, 844 has even more "bling", what with the polished stainless "dog bowels" at every washout plug, polished nuts & bolts everywhere, etc., etc., etc..
I think the 844 looks best in BLACK!
So any theories on why the demarcation stripes were silver or orange? Shop foreman's preference?
How about white lettering vs. silver? Still shop preference?
My personal preference - silver lettering, axle caps, and rims. Second best - Greyhound with orange stripes and lettering.
bob2 posted:So any theories on why the demarcation stripes were silver or orange? Shop foreman's preference?
The original and very first proposal for "passenger service" two-tone gray, originated out of the Albina, Oregon Shop, on Challenger 3976 in 1946. As other passenger service steam locomotives were painted in the two-tone gray styling, apparently different shop locations used different stripe colors.
How about white lettering vs. silver? Still shop preference?
I'm not aware that UP steam locomotives in the "modern era' had white lettering & numbering., as the "standard" was bright aluminum.
My personal preference - silver lettering, axle caps, and rims. Second best - Greyhound with orange stripes and lettering.
Don't recall seeing driver tire "rims" painted during the regular steam era.
B&O946 posted:Also what the reasoning was for each paint job.
Someone got bored, I'd think.
This is pretty common, old cars get changes in their details because the owners wanted something new. Old restored warplanes are often repainted into other paint jobs, sometimes for the very same reason (the Collings Foundation's B-24J has gone through 4 totally different paint jobs if my memory serves).
Just look at what 4449's crew has done. There have been countless subtle changes to that GS-4 over the years, even as small as changing the paint color on the backgrounds for the front number plate and builder's plates. An article in Ralifan a few years ago confirmed the crew did that so they could pick out what year (or trip) certain photos were taken at, as 4449 runs a lot over the same rails, year after year. I'm sure Jack can speak a lot to that, I'm just going from what I read and have heard from others on the crew over the years.
Diesels have been changed also. The two "ATSF" F units in Galveston were at one time very "Friendly": SOUTHERN PACIFIC!
Dominic Mazoch posted:I think the 844 looks best in BLACK!
I completely agree.
