NYC Cigar Band Start Date

I think the "cigar band" styling started about 1963 or 1964. I remember seeing VERY few units with the "cigar band" during the winter of 1963/1964.

I think the all-black "cigar band" scheme was a little earlier, maybe 1960 or '61?? I believe the GP-20s were delivered in that scheme. For the "lightning stripe" scheme, the passenger engines were dark and light gray, the freight engines were gray and black. Since some railroads used TM's on passenger trains, you could use the passenger light/dark gray lightning stripes.

I watched NYC Odyssey last night and took some notes, and the first cigar band diesel showed up in the Winter 1961 section, just before the Spring 1962...  but, it already looked dirty, so maybe I figured it was 1961-ish.

I think it'll look ok.

Thanks,

Mario

I checked my books, and it does look like the NYC did paint some E-units gray with the white cigar band scheme as you said. I'd say the idea you have would look good...but keep in mind the Central ran "long hood forward" on it's road diesels until the low nose GP-20s and GP-30's came in the early sixties so the herald probably would go on the long-hood end of the engine.