I cant seem to find info on this I think they look fantastic (Thanks PAT), but were they ever prototypical?
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Not prototypical.
Chris
LVHR
Fantasy.
The colorist who colored the first Lionel catalog that had the warbonnet F3, colored the silver part black by mistake. Bob Sherman (?) was the catalog artist, but did not do the coloring.
The theory was that the colorist looked at a picture of the real loco and the silver was reflecting something dark in the background, so he/she thought that part of the loco was black. There was an interview/article in CTT or OGR some years back that explained the whole story - reaching no firm conclusion.
BTW, Lionel did not provide mister Sherman and actual F3 to draw, so he drew an HO model for the catalog. You can see the difference in the headlight shape, among other details.
I could not figure out how to post a link without the picture showing.
I’ve always found it quite amusing the way some O-gaugers fall all over themselves about how awesome they think the Santa Fe black bonnet livery is. Especially when it NEVER EXISTED in real life. I’ve always thought it was butt-ugly. 😳
Similarly, Lionel’s early Union Pacific ALCO Fs were never silver in real life either, but always the Armour Yellow. The silver ones were just another Lionel creation. 👎
I love it!. 'Suspension of disbelief' is what drives this FANTASY hobby, its not real, so lets have fun with these make believe color schemes. The BB is gorgeous!
@Don Beck posted:I love it!. 'Suspension of disbelief' is what drives this FANTASY hobby, its not real, so lets have fun with these make believe color schemes. The BB is gorgeous!
Well, my whole layout is fantasy enough, since it’s all winter-themed with nothing but Dept. 56 and Lemax structures. So I try to keep the trains prototypical. Except during the holidays, when the Polar Express train is running. 😉
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Beautiful! SEE FANTASY...duh! Polar Express...FANTASY
Think K-Line was the first manufacturer to produce items in this scheme.
@Don Beck posted:Beautiful! SEE FANTASY...duh! Polar Express...FANTASY
A 1:1 berkshire with the cab #1225 is most certainly real, and was built 50 years before the book was written.
You must not hear the bell Don😉
@Don Beck posted:Beautiful! SEE FANTASY...duh! Polar Express...FANTASY
@Don Beck:
” . . . I try to keep the trains prototypical. Except during the holidays, when the Polar Express train is running.”
right!
To each their own. I'm not a Black Bonnet diesel guy, but I have been very happy with my BB Santa Fe Atlantic. Thanks @PATSTRAINS
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