Re: SILVER anyone (not 489 but 453)

CJ,
I think that the real point here is that in spite of, or without regard to, what the standards said employees at certain terminals painted things the way they wanted to.

If you look at the big picture we really only have photos from a few days in the life of any of this stuff, and then mostly right at the end.

What is clear to me is that even the employees of the Rio Grande only "more or less" followed the rules.

A strict following of the "specs" serves only to give a "modelers view" of the real railroad. I suppose you could paint and letter stuff just like it was on October 23, 1954 or any other date for which you have a photo but it may well be wrong for any other day or year.

The railroad as a living and breathing entity is far more interesting than any frozen moment in time.

This discussion is an example of why I am glad we lettered the stuff Cumbres and Toltec and why I'm glad my time there ended before the internet got rolling.

Just my opinion.
Respectfully
John Bush