Paint Variations

Paint Variations

Small and Large Lettering

Late in its life, #5334 in the above Tony Madieros photo seems to be enjoying a combination of Rio Grande schemes. If you look closely below the dynamic brake section, you'll see the outline of the as-delivered "small flying" Rio Grande lettering.

All 26 Rio Grande SD45 diesels arriving on property with the "small flying" lettering scheme. This features only stripes on the nose and tail of the unit and a small Rio Grande beneath the dynamic brake section along the long hood.

Rio Grande adopted its "large billboard" scheme for the SD45 series beginning in August 1968. This scheme features the Rio Grande name across the nose of the unit, along with stripes and a large speed lettered name taking up much of the long hood.

It appears that out of Rio Grande's first ten SD45's, #5315 was giving the "large billboard" paint in October 1974. Though no date was found #5322 also got the modified larger lettering at some point.

The second group of SD45's saw more members of the "large billboard" club with numbers 5326 (2/1969); 5327; 5328 (2/1969); 5329 (9/1969); 5331 (2/1969); 5333 (9/1969); 5334; 5336 (8/1968); 5337 (8/1968); 5338 (2/1969); 5340.

The first SD45's to get the new image "large billboard" paint were #5336 and 5337 in August of '68.

Grande Gold vs. KC Orange

Manufacturers have had some degree of difficulty matching the color of the lettering and striping used by Rio Grande. The color does seem to have some level of variation between schemes and diesels.

The early "bumblebee" scheme applied to early geeps features a lighter yellow shade. The EMD hood units with the "small flying" Rio Grande scheme appear to have a yellow that is a bit darker than the "bumblbee" paint. The SD50's and the trio of GP60's delivered in the '80s are a little further along the scale of darker yellow to almost orange.

The really odd color for Rio Grande is found on the ex-Conrail GP40 diesels. Granted access to Kansas City via the MoPac's Colorado Eagle line with the UP-MP-WP mergers of the early '80s, Rio Grande bought a set of GP40's from Conrail around 1980 and these units got painted in Kansas City. Apparently the person picking colors might have never seen a Rio Grande unit, as the "Grande Gold" turned a very dark orange color. Known as "Kansas City Orange," this color is only correct for this select group of ex-Conrail geeps. Model makers have unfortunately picked this "Kansas City Orange" for use on SD45's and early SD9's that never came close to wearing this shade.

Below is a view of "Kansas City Orange" found only the ex-Conrail GP40's...


				*SD45* *Paint Variations*



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		Small and Large Lettering Late in its life, #5334 in the above Tony Madieros photo seems to be enjoying a combination of Rio Grande schemes. If you look closely below the dynamic brake section, you'll see the outline of the as-delivered "small flying" Rio Grande lettering. All 26 Rio Grande SD45 diesels arriving on property with the "small flying" lettering scheme. This features only stripes on the nose and tail of the unit and a small Rio Grande beneath the dynamic brake section along the long hood. Rio Grande adopted its "large billboard" scheme for the SD45 series beginning in August 1968. This scheme features the Rio Grande name across the nose of the unit, along with stripes and a large speed lettered name taking up much of the long hood. It appears that out of Rio Grande's first ten SD45's, #5315 was giving the "large billboard" paint in October 1974. Though no date was found #5322 also got the modified larger lettering at some point. The second group of SD45's saw more members of the "large billboard" club with numbers 5326 (2/1969); 5327; 5328 (2/1969); 5329 (9/1969); 5331 (2/1969); 5333 (9/1969); 5334; 5336 (8/1968); 5337 (8/1968); 5338 (2/1969); 5340. The first SD45's to get the new image "large billboard" paint were #5336 and 5337 in August of '68. Grande Gold vs. KC Orange Manufacturers have had some degree of difficulty matching the color of the lettering and striping used by Rio Grande. The color does seem to have some level of variation between schemes and diesels. The early "bumblebee" scheme applied to early geeps features a lighter yellow shade. The EMD hood units with the "small flying" Rio Grande scheme appear to have a yellow that is a bit darker than the "bumblbee" paint. The SD50's and the trio of GP60's delivered in the '80s are a little further along the scale of darker yellow to almost orange. The really odd color for Rio Grande is found on the ex-Conrail GP40 diesels. Granted access to Kansas City via the MoPac's Colorado Eagle line with the UP-MP-WP mergers of the early '80s, Rio Grande bought a set of GP40's from Conrail around 1980 and these units got painted in Kansas City. Apparently the person picking colors might have never seen a Rio Grande unit, as the "Grande Gold" turned a very dark orange color. Known as "Kansas City Orange," this color is only correct for this select group of ex-Conrail geeps. Model makers have unfortunately picked this "Kansas City Orange" for use on SD45's and early SD9's that never came close to wearing this shade. Below is a view of "Kansas City Orange" found only the ex-Conrail GP40's...