SP models, like UP suffer from colorblindness. What people think is white lettering is actually AL. It has a metallic look to the lettering, doh!
Did AL paint have AL in it's making?
Originally Posted by J Daddy:
....I was hoping Lionel would make a version of the Bull Moose.
Oh, me too! I really want to add it to my collection!
As a matter of fact, I've been gathering parts to scratch build one. My plan is to make a few different versions.
Right-of-way Industries made a Bull Moose in the early 90s. It's a little crude compared to today's technology (which is to be expected) but would be an excellent base to add details too.
Same issue of color applies to NYCS passenger cars. The print calls for aluminum gray paint, but you see 'em as white. So I can understand where this issue comes from, especially on equipment that seen some time on the paint job! There is NO WAY a UP EM1 would have ever happened....Pete had the means and the plant to go for bigger game! Had they really wanted a Yellowstone bad enough...it would have been a lot closer to either the NP Z5, or DM&IR M4.
Y didn't B&O go for something like the Y class the N&W had. Now that was an under rated class of motive power!
Originally Posted by Dominic Mazoch:
Y didn't B&O go for something like the Y class the N&W had. Now that was an under rated class of motive power!
B&O didn't go for the N&W Y-6 because the B&O didn't believe in compound steam locomotives like the N&W did. Prior to WWII the B&O went and converted most of their 2-8-8-0's from compound to simple. So a Y-6 would not have been of interest to them.
Stuart
Originally Posted by J Daddy:
As far as the tender letters white vrs Aluminum.
If I close my left eye and squint with my right. I think I can see the Aluminum oxide silver in them...?
All of my UP locomotives except for the greyhounds have white lettering. If there is any aluminum in them then I can't see it. Even the prototypes of the locomotives look white to me so if the UP used aluminum in their lettering so be it but I can't tell it.
I've read many posts over the years debating whether a railroad's lettering was white or aluminum. I believe that what probably happened was that the metallic part of the aluminum lettering faded and so what was left would seem to be white, unless examined very closely.
Stuart
Originally Posted by Stuart:
I've read many posts over the years debating whether a railroad's lettering was white or aluminum. I believe that what probably happened was that the metallic part of the aluminum lettering faded and so what was left would seem to be white, unless examined very closely.
Stuart
That could very well could be it!. The whole point of aluminum paint, probably particularly that used initially, was that the alum flakes would rise to the surface. I remember my Dad explaining to me how the paint got shiny. That would be the first to wear off, leaving the "carrier" paint behind it.
Part of the reason B&O didn't "go" for a lot of N&W and other modern innovation stemmed from the increased cost of operation. Yes, the compound Y6 was cheaper to operate fuel and water wise, but offsetting this was the increased costs of 300 PSI locomotives, in both maintenance and supplies. No, B&O got it right...for B&O ! Consider also, that the EM1 was expected to operate effectively at speeds up to 65 MPH; A Y6 could make that speed, but it was waaaay out of it's element!
Originally Posted by Lee Willis:
Originally Posted by Stuart:
I've read many posts over the years debating whether a railroad's lettering was white or aluminum. I believe that what probably happened was that the metallic part of the aluminum lettering faded and so what was left would seem to be white, unless examined very closely.
Stuart
That could very well could be it!. The whole point of aluminum paint, probably particularly that used initially, was that the alum flakes would rise to the surface. I remember my Dad explaining to me how the paint got shiny. That would be the first to wear off, leaving the "carrier" paint behind it.
Additionally, any aluminum particles exposed to the air will tend to oxidize to a white color. 
Nicole, now that you mention it I remember (way) back in summer camp they had aluminum canoes and row boats. One of the things I remember hating about them was the white residue on my hands and clothes after being in them.
Stuart
Originally Posted by Stuart:
Nicole, now that you mention it I remember (way) back in summer camp they had aluminum canoes and row boats. One of the things I remember hating about them was the white residue on my hands and clothes after being in them.
Stuart
I hot and humid Houston, I place a clearr coating on my ham antennae! That helps with the that white powder problem
