Atlas GP7 paint accuracy

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RE the new Atlas GP7. The handrails are black. I had thought that the Central painted the entire had rail safety yellow. Is this right or is black an acceptable color?

-- Bill Lowe (Bilobilo@aol.com), February 02, 1998

Answers

Bill and other intrested parties, The new Central Of Georgia book (Arcadia) shows several photos of COFG Alco's, Geeps, and F's with black handrails. Intrestingly enough all of these photos are apparently pre-'53 so the notation on the paint diagram is a valuable piece of info for us prototype modelers who want to know the date for everything. The last issue of "The Right Way" has a good picture of a COFG Geep that appears to have yellow walkways that have been worn out in the center. If you liked the Atlas GP-7 wait till the RS-3 comes out. (It has grabirons that are seperate pieces!) Richard

-- Richard W Cole Jr. (rcolecofg@aol.com), May 31, 1999.

A book I have of builders photo's I have shows a C of G GP-7 as delivered with black handrails. In looking at old photo's in the C of G Handbook it appears that in early service they were black.

-- Walt Lemming (jshealy54@aol.com), August 05, 1998.

Response to Atlas GP7

My answer to the Question, "Does the notation on the paint diagram mean that the entire surface area of the walkways was painted yellow?" is a firm and unwavering, "I don't know." I can only quote the diagram. I read it to mean that the surfaces were yellow, but have absolutely nothing to back it up.

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), February 07, 1998.


Response to Atlas GP7

Bob, does the "ramp tread color changed to yellow" notation on the EMD\CG paint diagram mean that the entire walkway around the locomotive was painted yellow? Or could it be referring to what I call the "stepwell"? I'm still wondering if anyone has a color photo shot from above a locomotive which might help clarify this question.

-- Allen Tuten (ahtuten@aol.com), February 06, 1998.

Response to Atlas GP7

Bob Branin of Riverdale Station used an EMD/CofG paint diagram in my collection to provide information to Atlas regarding paint. The diagram I have - dated April 2, 1951, shows both handrails and steps/walkways painted black. A revision to this diagram dated 3-5-53 says "ramp tread color changed to yellow." No notation as to when handrails went to yellow, but the ICC mandated this around 1955 or so. (Possibly at the same time the walkway color was changed.)

Bob Hanson

-- Robert H. Hanson (RHanson669@aol.com), February 06, 1998.



Response to Atlas GP7

Todd, I know that the GP7 handrails and stanchions need to be yellow (see my answer to Bill Lowe's Atlas GP7 question of Feb. 1) but none of the Central of Georgia GP7 photos that I have show the color of the walkways very clearly. In some photos, the walkways seem to be a dirty, dusty black (or blue) while some photos seem to show them as being grey. Does anyone have proof (either a photo or first-hand knowledge) of the actual walkway color?

-- Allen Tuten (ahtuten@aol.com), February 04, 1998.

Response to Atlas GP7

The hand rails and the walkways of the Central GP-7's are painted wrong, the handrails usually will not let paint stick to them, but the walkways shoud be easy to fix by removing the body shell. Todd Horton

-- Todd Horton (gentga@aol.com), February 04, 1998.

Response to Atlas GP7

Most of the photos of Central of Georgia GP7s in my collection show that both the handrails and stanchions were yellow. On some locomotives, however, it appears that the yellow (especially on the stanchions) didn't hold up very well. Also, most locomotives have yellow grab irons on the ends. In addition, the area around the steps (what I would call the "stepwell") appears to be yellow. The addition of yellow handrails and "stepwells" really adds to appearance of the Atlas paint job. I've had good results airbrushing the handrails with Polly Scale paint (after they were removed from the locomotive, of course.) A light grey primer coat followed by a finish coat of yellow works well for me. I painted the "stepwells" with a brush. A little weathering will blend it all together.

-- Allen Tuten (ahtuten@aol.com), February 04, 1998.

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