Re: RGS 20.

Thank you Todd for he comparison. We spent a long time looking at photos, and printed large versions to use while laying out the stencils. I have not confirmed it but I believe Mike Horner made the sunrise for 20 several years ago. We made all the others. The museum even has an original "Defense supplies corporation" stencil however like every aspect of 20 the one used on her was different than the genuine one. A volunteer (Brett Wiebold) scanned the original stencil then played with the spacing to get it to match photos of 20.

20 helps illustrate the story of the sunrise itself. There are at least 3 versions or variations. Whom ever created the original version, had it pretty stylish and had the southern centered and the center serif on the Es were curvy. It seemed to have been used on all the locos, motors, and cabooses. 20 even had it. In the later years the Southern was off center to the right. After 20s 1943 wreck she re-entered service with her own "skinny" version. I can't say for sure as to why, but i have a theory. I have heard or read(still trying to find where) that at some point the stencil was lost or damaged or both. If this is true it could explain the 1 off version on 20, and why the southern was off center in later years.
Back to 20s sunrise. Our theory is that she needed a paint job after the 43 wreck, and either the stencil could not be used or the painter wanted to try his own version. I could see a painter having to trace as best as possible the old logo under a new layer of black or free handing the whole thing. We will likely never know the real story.

I make a point to get lettering as accurate as possible. Some think I'm nuts because I will apply a stencil crooked if it was in photos while the equipment was in service. We all know the railroad was no always as clean, crisp and straight as models often are. The sunrise is very close to the size and shape it needs to be. The rivets on the tank don't all end up exactly where they were but about two thirds do.
By the way, it seems every time 20 was painted the 2 and 0 changed style.

Here is 20 on the Durango turn table not long before the 1943 wreck. This is the only photo I have seen(other than of the wreck) of her with the typical sunrise.Photo credit to the friends and their Dorman collection.


Jeff Taylor
CRRM curator of equipment and rolling stock.