Santa Fe Locomotive Color Schemes
One of the factors when creating a period specific model railroad layout is color – the color of the locomotives in service. Of course, the make and model of locomotives is important as well. As many people don’t identify with specific manufacturer models of locomotive, the paint scheme is the more recognizable feature.
This is an example of a GP-35 in Santa Fe freighbonet colors. The ATSF started applying this paint scheme in 1975, about five years past the time period being modeled on the Fallen Flags Junction project.
I’ve made a few mistakes purchasing locomotives for the Fallen Flags Junction model railroad project – not with regard to the locomotive, but as it relates to the paint scheme. If you remember from previous posts and/or our YouTube videos, the Fallen Flags Junction layout takes place prior to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe merger, and prior to the arrival of Amtrak. 1970 is the most ideal year to consider.
Here is a rundown of the color schemes put in place by the ATSF:
- “Warbonnet” – We all know this one…
- “Freightbonnet” – Standard livery from about 1975 onward.
- “Kodakchrome” – Livery designed for the failed merger between the ATSF and SP (1983 – 1988).
- “Pinstripe” – Standard livery since the earth was young.
- “Yellowbonnet” / “Bluebonnet” – Passenger service liveries only used on F- and E-units. Yellowbonet was only applied to selected units serving with Amtrak (post 1971).
- “Zebra Stripe”
This listing doesn’t include bicentennial or special limited edition liveries. One of the more humerous paint schemes arrived with the merger between the Santa Fe and the Burlington Northern: the vomit-bonnet.
