Although Williams and 3rd Rail have made E7 diesels in the traditional Louisville & Nashville blue and cream scheme, I don’t think one has ever been made in the L&N “Hummingbird” paint scheme, which has silver nose “wings” and stripes, plus a silver rear roof to match the Hummingbird passenger cars that are silver with blue letterboards.
To avoid any copyright issues, I will not post photos here, but here are a few links, mostly black and white, with one colorized postcard that looks pretty accurate:
http://streamlinermemories.info/?p=7696
http://rrpicturearchives.net/s...ture.aspx?id=5340020
The scheme was in use from 1945 until at least the early 1950’s. It looks like the blue and cream “standard” L&N scheme, except the wings and stripes are all silver, instead of cream outlined in red. And the rear of the roof is silver, instead of all blue.
I believe this scheme has never been made in O scale, not even in brass. In fact, I have never seen an HO model of it either.
Interesting that Lionel made 21” Hummingbird passenger cars a few years ago, but chose to make E8 and E6 locomotives in the L&N standard scheme, instead of the unique E7 scheme designed specifically for the Hummingbird train, which would have been more prototypical.
Since 3rd Rail has another run of E7 locomotives announced, would anyone be interested in a L&N E7 in the Hummingbird scheme?
I would like to have one to pull the Lionel Hummingbird passenger cars.
