Ahhh, so that's what "yellow peril" refers to. I tried to google the background for that, and got everything but.
Maury K*l*e*i*n's book Union Pacific: The Reconfiguration mentions that, in the mid-70s when BN and CNW were both working on lines to access the Powder River coal region, Louis Menk reportedly referred to UP's similar interest in the area as the "Yellow Peril."
I sometimes wonder if it was the type of paint SP used, which seems to have led to it's oxidization, peeling, etc. Or was kit the manner of application? Or extra harsh wash racks? Or?
What wash racks? The issue was California forced everyone to use water based paints that were more eco friendly, and any loco painted from 1985 until 1990 were all but doomed to this unique doom. If you look at the paint from the 1970's, this was not an issue.
Reminds me of all those factory auto recalls for peeling eco-paint. It was the primer which had failed. You could rub a finger or hand in it and that would come away covered in a heavy gray powder.
OK, if we are digging deep, how about this one? A grade crossing incident in Richmond, Texas. In Black & White no less. Note: The Falstaff beer was undamaged and recovered.
Notice the T&NO number on the Alco and the Sunset Limited train number in the numberboard. Glad the beer was saved
