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This page should make your catalog page viewing more enjoyable because it explains all of the codes and footnotes used in the Remarks and PH column and the color codes used in the Paint column. Please feel free to print a copy if you would like, it is about twelve pages long.
Here is a sample photo listing line. I've color coded this line so that the various elements are easier to separate:
18397 CSX TRANSPORTATION 2010 GP-38 Whitneyville MI 08/11/91 *fb ls r CS RH
Order Number - use this number to refer to a particular photo. Photos listed in the catalogs with red order numbers are printed from digital originals. Photos listed with black order numbers are printed from 35mm slide originals that have been digitally scanned..
Road/Owners Name - the name of the railroad or private owner.
Number - the number that appears on the locomotive or none if there is no number.
Model - the manufacturer's model.
Location (city and state) - where the photo was made (or nearest location). If not known I use --.
Date - when the photo was made, month, day & year. If not known I use --.
Descriptive notes - various notes about the photograph or the locomotive to better convey what the picture shows - see key below for definitions.
Paint scheme or colors - the color of the unit or paint scheme it is painted in - see key below.
Photographer - initials of the person who made the photograph - see key below.
BUILDERS CODES FOR INDUSTRIAL TYPE LOCOMOTIVES (used in the model field):
DA Davenport
GE General Electric
PL Plymouth Locomotive Works
PR Porter
WH Whitcomb
WE Westinghouse
GENERAL COLOR CODES:
BK Black
BL Blue
BR Brown
GD Gold
GR Green
GY Gray
MA Maroon
OG Olive green
OR Orange
RD Red
SI Silver
TU Tuscan - box car red
YE Yellow
OTHER 'COLOR' CODES:
PRI Primer - yellow or gray.
RWB Red, white and blue but not decorated for the 1976 US Bi-centennial.
BC Red, white and blue, that was decorated for the 1976 US Bi-centennial.
O# Odd number style that is different from other units of the type and number series on the railroad at the time the photo was made.
OH Odd herald style or reporting marks style that is different from other units of the type on the railroad at the time the photo was made.
OL Operation LIFESAVER graphics/lettering.
OP Odd paint scheme that is different from other units of the type on the railroad at the time the photo was made.
P Peeled, rusted, chipped and/or burned.
WD Wreck damage is evident due to collision or derailment, usually minor in nature, such as steps or railings.
WR Repair or repainting showing some sections repainted in the same or different colors that appear fresher than the rest of the unit.
-H No herald, lettering and/or reporting marks where one may have been expected or none of the items at all - an unmarked unit.
W
here the locomotive is in a prior owners paint scheme or colors then the reporting marks for that railroad appear rather than a paint code. As an example Helm SD-40 3065 shows UP in the paint column because the unit, when photographed was still in the gray / yellow Union Pacific paint.COLOR CODES USED FOR SPECIFIC RAILROADS:
In alpha-numeric order by code. For clarity the railroad name is shown in red on this page only.
AR Amtrak Platinum mist with black upper body 'pointless' arrow on hood side.
A1 Ann Arbor Orange with DT&I style compass herald on the cab side. Large upper case ANN ARBOR on hood.
A2 Ann Arbor Orange without DT&I style compass herald on the cab side. Large upper case ANN ARBOR on hood.
A3 Ann Arbor Orange with stylized ferry boat herald on the hood side.
A4 Ann Arbor 2 Orange with ANN ARBOR RAILROAD spelled out in lower case letters on hood and stylized ferry boat herald on the cab side. This is the newer Ann Arbor Railroad.
BWB Santa Fe Blue with yellow 'warbonnet'.
B1 Baltimore & Ohio or Chesapeake & Ohio Blue with yellow 'fender stripes' (road units).
B2 Baltimore & Ohio or Chesapeake & Ohio Blue with yellow frame (road units).
B3 Baltimore & Ohio or Chesapeake & Ohio Blue with yellow frame, yellow nose panels, and on some units yellow rear panels (road units).
B4 Baltimore & Ohio or Chesapeake & Ohio Blue with yellow frame and 'fender stripes' (switchers).
B5 Baltimore & Ohio or Chesapeake & Ohio Blue with yellow frame (switchers).
B6 Chesapeake & Ohio Blue with Pere Marquette style yellow nose stripes (switchers).
B7 Baltimore & Ohio or Chesapeake & Ohio Blue without any style stripes (all types).
B8 Baltimore & Ohio Blue with yellow frame stripe and yellow 'sunburst' on nose.
C1 Chicago Northwestern Yellow with green roof and frame.
C2 Chicago Northwestern Yellow with green roof, frame and cab sides.
C3 Chicago Northwestern Yellow with green roof, frame, cab sides with zebra stripes on end.
C4 Chicago Northwestern Greenish yellow (zito yellow) with dark green roof, frame and cab sides.
C5 Chicago S Shore S Bend Orange with darker orange stripes (the little engine that could scheme).
C6 Chicago S Shore S Bend Yellow with blue roof (Chessie System style).
C7 Chicago S Shore S Bend Orange with Darker orange band.
C8 Chicago Northwestern Yellow with green roof, green encircles cab in a lightning stripe style.
CNNA Canadian National North American unified operations. Black with red nose and cab, large North America map on hood. Large CN noodle on hood side.
CNNA- Canadian National North American unified operations. Black with red nose and cab, without large North America map on hood. Large CN noodle on hood side.
CNNC Canadian National North American unified operations. Black with red nose and cab, without large North America map on hood. Large CN noodle on hood side with 'www.cn.ca' below noodle.
CR Conrail Blue with white lettering and white "can opener" herald.
CR- Conrail Blue with white lettering no white "can opener" herald.
CR+ Conrail Blue with white lettering, white "can opener" herald and white frame stripe.
CRQ Conrail Blue with white lettering, white "can opener" herald, white frame stripe and white "Conrail Quality" slogan.
CRQ+ Conrail Blue with white lettering, white "can opener" herald, white frame stripe, white "Conrail Quality" slogan, white "bib" around cab.
CRQw Conrail Blue with white lettering, white "can opener" herald, white frame stripe, white "Conrail Quality" slogan, gold CSX numbers, white cab roof.
CS Chessie System (C&O, B&O, WM) Yellow, vermilion & dark blue.
CXa CSX Transportation Grey with blue roof, blue frame edge, blue belt at base of hood, large CSX on hood.
CXb CSX Transportation Grey with blue roof, large CSX on hood.
CXc CSX Transportation Grey with large CSX on hood.
CXd CSX Transportation Grey with blue roof, blue frame edge, blue belt at base of hood, large CSX on hood, special Operation Redblock design near rear of long hood.
CXe CSX Transportation Dark blue, yellow frame edge, yellow ends, large CSX on hood, white cab roof.
CXe- CSX Transportation Dark blue, yellow frame edge, yellow ends, large CSX on hood, without white cab roof.
CXf CSX Transportation Grey with wide blue band at hood base, blue cab, yellow frame and ends. Blue and yellow angle up along long hood behind/across cab, large CSX on hood.
CXg CSX Transportation Repaint of CXa, CXb, or CXc, yellow ends and yellow frame edge added to previous paint style, some may not have yellow frame edge.
CXh
CSX Transportation Grey with wide blue band at hood base, blue cab, yellow frame and ends. Blue and yellow angle up along long hood behind/across cab, large yellow CSX on hood that is outlined in blue. Blue lightning bolts on either side of cab side number.CX as above with w CSX Transportation any of the CSX paint schemes where the cab roof has been painted white. Used with all of the CSX scheme notes except the solid blue with gold lettering scheme as that scheme apparently is being painted with a white cab roof. IE. CXgw
G1 Burlington Northern Green, black roof, white diagonal nose stripes, white lettering.
G2 Burlington Northern Green, black roof, wide white band on long hood, white lettering.
G3 Burlington Northern Green, black roof, orange visibility stripes on cab face, white lettering.
G4 Burlington Northern Green, black roof, white cab face, white frame above trucks, white lettering.
G5 Burlington Northern Green, black roof, white cab face, white frame above trucks, two white frame stripes between trucks, white separator stripes between green and black, white lettering.
G5a Burlington Northern Green, black roof, white cab face, white frame above trucks, two white frame stripes between trucks, without the white separator stripes between green and black, white lettering.
G6 Burlington Northern Green roof and lower third of hood, crème band between green separated by red stripes. Also used for BNSF.
G7 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Olive green top and bottom with orange band in between, orange and green separated by narrow single yellow stripes.
G8 Burlington Northern Santa Fe Black roof and frame edge with orange band in between that is separated from green by wide triple yellow stripes.
G8a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Olive green top and bottom with wide orange band in between that is separated from green by wide triple yellow stripes with 'wedge' herald.
I1 Illinois Central Gulf Orange & white with black lettering.
I2 Illinois Central Gulf Solid orange with black lettering.
I3 Illinois Central Gulf Orange & gray with black lettering.
RDm Canadian Pacific Red with small 'multimark' at rear of long hood on road units or rear of cab on switchers.
RDM Canadian Pacific Red with large 'multimark' at rear of long hood.
RDs Canadian Pacific Red with stylized Canadian & American flags on hood.
RDb Canadian Pacific Red with 'beaver' herald on long hood, block lettering.
RDbl Canadian Pacific Red, block lettering.
S1 Soo Line White with black 'Soo', red nose and frame (S1c if "proud part of the CP rail family" decal is on unit).
S2 Soo Line White with black 'Soo' inside a black border, red nose and frame.
S3 Soo Line White with red 'Soo', red nose and frame.
S4 Soo Line Solid red with white 'Soo' (S4c if "proud part of the CP rail family" decal is on unit).
S6 Southern Pacific Dark gray, red nose, white block lettering.
S7 Southern Pacific Dark gray, red nose, white speed lettering.
TB Norfolk Southern 'Thoroughbred' scheme has horses head silhouette in the white bars trailing from the NS initials on hood side.
U1 Union Pacific gray and yellow.
U2 Union Pacific gray and yellow with nose wings.
U3 Union Pacific gray and yellow with 'We Will Deliver' on long hood.
U4 Union Pacific gray and yellow with nose wings, US flag and 'Building America' on long hood.
U5 Union Pacific gray and yellow. Number is preceded with a 'Y' denoting yard units.
W1 Western Maryland Black with yellow lettering.
W2 Western Maryland Red and white with black lettering.
W3 Western Maryland Red, white and black with black lettering.
WB Santa Fe Red and silver warbonnet.
ZB Canadian National Black, red nose and cab, alternating white and black diagonal bars on long hood.
2ST Amtrak Platinum mist with wide red and blue band that are separated by white stripes.
3ST Amtrak Platinum mist with equal width red, white and blue bands.
4ST Amtrak Platinum mist with three thin red stripes above large blue band.
THE PHOTOGRAPHERS:
This code appears as two letters at the end of each description.
RH R. E. Holmes
DV Dick Vartebedian
TP Timothy Parker
TW Thomas Weaver
DW David Wehrwein
MH Mark Hicks
JS Jeffrey Schultz
RB Rich Blackmore
REMARK CODES, THEIR DESCRIPTION AND EXPLANATION:
The codes, their meaning and a description for each follows. The code itself is highlighted in red in this list for clarity. The codes do not appear in red on the catalog pages.
* (ASTERISK) Unit is no longer as shown.
-H Missing herald or reporting marks.
{ (left bracket) Previous owners name showing through paint. Owners initials used IE. {NYC
ac action - Original photograph shows more than one unit or surrounding scenery. Digital image has been cropped in some cases to 'zoom' in. This note is interchangeable (within arbitrary limits) with code ls. Code ac may be the more interesting/desirable of the two codes.
ag agfachrome - Agfachrome original. These originals tend to be a bit green. Should not be a problem with the digitized images since color adjustments will have been made.
b broadside - Unit shot at approximate 90 degree angle (side view).
bl blurry - Unit exhibits slight blurriness usually manifests itself in the numbers and handrails closest to the camera. I try to dump the real bad ones.
bt backlit - Unit shot from the shadow side.
ce clipped ends - Unit fills original, image may have end(s) clipped off. Usually affects just the step(s). In some cases a (successful ?) attempt has been made to 'rebuild' the ends digitally.
ch chop nose - Units short hood has been lowered during a rebuild or modification.
cnb cannibalized - Unit has been stripped for scrap, lies derelict, or is being used as a 'hanger queen' to keep similar units running.
fa from above - Photograph taken from a position above the unit.
fb from below - Photograph taken from a position below the unit.
fv front view - Photograph taken from a position directly (or nearly so) in front of the unit. See also code no.
hi high nose - Unit has special order high short hood.
ice ice storm - Photograph taken after an ice storm. Unit usually not affected, but the surrounding scenery may be affected.
ih in house - Unit inside engine house, loading structure, etc.
ls long shot - Unit off in distance, unlike action shots (code ac) no interesting scenery or other units in photograph. The differences in code ac & ls are objective at best. See also code vls. Digital image has been cropped to 'zoom' in on the unit with some resulting loss of detail.
md museum - display Unit belongs to a museum or is on display. Often there is a fence around the unit. Not operating.
mo museum - operating Unit belongs to a museum. Unit is shown in operation.
ni night - Photograph made after sunset or before sunrise with available light used. See also note SS. Not a 'flash' shot.
no nosy - Unit shot from the front at a tight angle but not dead on. See code nr.
nr nosy rear - As above, but from rear of unit. See also code r.
ob obstruction - View of unit is partially or totally obstructed from the frame down in some manner, such by shadow, weeds or junk.
pn pan - Photograph made using a slow shutter speed and moving the camera to keep the unit centered. Possibly a convenient excuse for me shooting in light that is too low for good photography or maybe a neat effect as the background and foreground get blurred and the unit stands out. It depends on your point of view.
r rear - Rear 3/4 view of the unit. In some cases, the little f painted on the frame has been used to determine which end is which. With short hood lead, long hood lead, dual controls etc. my choice may not be 100% accurate. Someday I'll go through all the pictures and mark front/back using the short end as the front, but I haven't started that yet. See also codes nr and rv.
rv rear view - Middle of the tracks shot of the rear of the unit. See also code r and nr.
sh shadow - Shadow or other obstruction (such as a pole) on part of the hood above the frame line.
ss sunset - Photograph made about sunset or sunrise with the sun above the horizon. Yellow or gold cast evident, some glare from paint or windows may also be present.
vls very long shot - Unit does not fill the frame in any sense of the imagination. Some detail not visible. Digital image has been 'zoomed' as in codes ac and ls.
vt vertical - Vertical format shot.
Here are the numbered notes used for more detail or to further describe individual photos. The Railhead Photography order number appears in parenthesis where specific units/photos are involved.
1. Two photos of different C&O GP-9's numbered 5897 (13246 & 14246).
2. Pillsbury No# (14601) and Demeter Inc No# (14956) is same unit.
3. PC 2189 (13511) has pink P white C worm herald.
4. US Gypsum GE 45t's. Four units, each in a different variation of orange and gray (13233, 13234, 13235, 15107).
5. DT&I orange, GTW applied number, no GTW noodle herald.
6. BO, CO , CS, CRR, GA, FL SBD, SCL, or WryA paint scheme, CSXT number, no CSXT reporting marks.
7. NYC 8203 (16064) is actually ex-AA 302. Specially painted for historical event.
8. BO, CO , CS, CRR, GA, FL SBD, SCL, or WryA paint scheme, CSXT number, with CSXT reporting marks.
9. Rubber tired, gas powered, scale model.
10. Visible graffiti which may be offensive.
11. CXf paint scheme with CSXT reporting mark stencil on cab.
12. BO, CO , CS, CRR, GA, FL SBD, SCL, or WryA paint scheme, CSXT number, addition of CSXT reporting marks which is the only difference from photo listed above.
13. Mid-Michigan GP-9 24 (17029, 17039) both in Cape Cod & Hyannis paint with MMRR reporting marks on the ends. Second shot has had the CC&H name painted out and MMRR name painted in it's place.
14. Multiple pictures of same unit painted in the same paint job. Minor differences in paint lines, decal placement etc.
15. Unit is owned by GATX Leasing.
16. Previous owners lettering on hood side painted over, only difference from photo listed above noted shot.
17. Reporting marks applied with spray paint or brush, no stencil used. Previous owners marks (usually) painted out.
18. Minor equipment changes from photo listed above such has addition of ditch lights, change in snowplows, etc.
19. Kalamazoo, Lake Shore & Chicago GP-7u 85 (16380, 17652) first shot taken first day of operation, nose obscured by flags, second shot shows unit without the flags.
20. Baltimore & Ohio, CSX 6002 GP-40-2 four photos, with and without B&O/CSXT reporting marks (14797, 17557, 17637, 18764).
21. Central Vermont/Grand Trunk Western GP units. Full GTW blue/red paint with GT noodle has small Central Vermont Railway decal on cab.
22. Toledo Peoria & Western GP-20m 3034 (17014) in full ATSF paint w/ TP&W decal and (17990) with ATSF painted out.
23. Livingston Rebuild Center SD-40 871 has cab from CR 6207.
24. CSXT reporting marks and/or number re-done with different style stencil.
25. Addition of model stencil/decal to cab side.
26. Photos of steam locomotives at Heber City, UT at the former Wasatch Mountain Tourist Railroad. Exact ownership unknown.
27. Union Pacific SW-1 DS 1000 in black.
28. Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 2765 actually NKP 765 with temporary lettering and number for excursions during 1993.
29. Battery box door swapping on CSXT units removes or adds CSXT reporting marks on cab side.
30. Fremont & Elkhorn Valley SW-1200 1219 (16677) no herald or reporting marks, (17384) add herald, (19001) add reporting marks.
31. Union Pacific SD-40-2 3206 (19006) has 3193 showing in rear number boards.
32. Former Norfolk Southern GP-35's with identification painted out. Have 'NS" reporting marks on cards in cab windows for movement to TSBY at Owosso, MI.
33. Leelanau Scenic Railroad SW-9 3 (19203) has Manistee & Northeastern lettering on hood.
34. CSX GP-30m 4210 (19599) has had the yellow Chessie System paint scraped off around the earlier C&O lettering on the hood. Some trainman pretty bored on a hot day…
35. New Jersey, Indiana, & Illinois NW-2 (15282) in blue with 7 yellow rectangles on frame, (19938) in darker blue with 3 yellow rectangles on frame.
36. CSX C-40-8w 7812 (19343) specially painted for use by former President George H. W. Bush's 1992 campaign trains. Without presidential seal.
37. Helm Leasing uses several different reporting marks:
37 - no separate reporting marks - has Helm Leasing spelled out
37a - reporting marks HL
37b - reporting marks HLCX
37c - reporting marks HATX
37d - reporting marks HLGX
38. Huron & Eastern GP-38-2 204 in red, not marked for HESR, has Rail America and Spirit of America lettering.
39. Rolling stock reporting mark or number barely legible - I have made my best guess as to what the number actually is.
40. not used in locomotive list
41. New unit being delivered. Or new unit being moved between builders plants.
42. GATX Leasing uses several different reporting marks:
42a - reporting marks GSCX.
42b - reporting marks GMTX
43. Union Pacific units with head end equipment removed were classified as B units and given a B prefix by UP. I have put the B after the number in the catalog.
44. Santa Fe units being maintained by Morrison-Knudson with MKM markings on the cab.
45a. State Railways of Australia unit being transported between EMD LaGrange and DD London.
45b. EMD unit going from DD London to unknown location. Units are covered by a tarps. ONLY the underframe is visible.
46. Conrail SD-60 6861 (20227) does not have the white frame edge.
47. Conrail lease fleet units.
48. CSX retired unit, all CSX identification painted out.
49. CSX unit where nose and rear panel have been painted yellow, remainder of unit still in former owners colors.
50. Cargill 586 (21483) with SAMX reporting marks, no Cargill logo.
51. CSX maintenance of way unit, solid orange.
52. Mid-Michigan GP-9 5967 series of photos while unit was being slowly repainted during 1996.
53. Canadian Pacific unit with decal recognizing CP's support of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's Musical Ride.
53a. Canadian Pacific AC-4400CW with crossed Canadian and American flags on the large flat structure behind the cab on the fireman's side and wearing the RCMP Musical Ride decal. Not sure if the flags appear on the engineer's side also.
54. Sheridan Railway trolley 115 (21615) being used as a snack bar.
55. DOT Railservice of Indiana switchers: SW-1200 1206 (21720) and SW-8 1005 (23216) have DRSX marks while SW-1200 1516 (21721) has DOT marks. All shot at Kellogg's Battle Creek, Michigan warehouse facility.
56. Canadian Pacific unit in the 'system' red without the flags.
57. Lake State RS-11 1195 (21465) shown before modifications and repainting with LFRC spray painted on cab.
58. Three photos of the same Baldwin. The large grain elevator complex east of Waterloo, IN is the home to this DS-4-4-1000. I first shot it in 1985 when the elevator was owned by the DeKalb County Co-op (15050). Sometime between then and 1992 the facilities name changed to DeKalb Agra (18607) and the unit received a new herald. In 2004 I found that the elevator had been obtained by the Anderson's and the DeKalb Agra wording had been painted out, although the Anderson's name had not been added (23769).
59. Michigan Southern's Kendallville, IN industrial (23794) operations SW-8 16 has had PREX initials added to the bottom of each cab side.
60. Being moved loaded on a flatcar.
61. Okay, this photo is of a John Deere® 4630 tractor...buy hey, it's equipped with a regular coupler and it is used to move hoppers. Remember, there's a prototype and a modeler for everything.
62. On 8/7/93 I shot CN SD-40-2W 5346 at Shaftsburg, MI shiny in a new coat of CN North America Combined Operations paint (19651), nothing odd about that. However, on 3/2/08 I shot CN SD-40-2W 5343 at Potterville, MI in the zebra stripe scheme (24099). Is this the same unit, has there been some re-numbering amongst the older SD's or is my digital camera actually a time machine...my guess is that at some point, the long hood has been swapped.
63. UTLX 1609 (R3235), which is a single dome sulfuric acid tank car, exhibits an interesting frosted paint scheme. When I first saw it, I thought that some graffiti artist had added white paint to the lower portion of the tank, making a 'drip' down pattern. After looking at the photo more closely, I have decided that the car was coated with frost, and part of the frost has melted leaving this pattern. I have never seen anything like it.
64. CN 639310 (R3240) is carrying two flatbed 'containers' that are themselves empty.
65. North Star Steel® (24380) was used by Cargill® and has a Cargill® logo near the nose of the hood. The North Star Steel paint and markings are intact, so I've listed the unit under that name.
66. Omnitrax 3744 has been in front of my camera on two occasions, in Charlotte, MI on 12/09/01 (23025) and at Maple Grove, OH on 1/1/09 (24384). The Maple Grove shot shows life after several years under a agricultural lime dumper - it's a very dirty gray on top of the green and silver paint.
67. Grand Elk units carry WAMX reporting marks.
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Page modified 5/16/09.