I was wondering if someone could tell me when the maroon & white letting paint scheme was replaced. i am in the process of building a free-lance model and was wanting to make sure i had the right time period. i have looked around, but have been unable to find a clear answer (if one exists). thanks.
Some of the GP-18's remained in the maroon/pin stripe scheme until the shutdown. Late 1966 or early 1967 brought the maroon/yellow scheme. I have not seen any photos of the GP-18's in the maroon/yellow with block lettering but at least the 1337 made into this scheme with the huge speed lettering. Late 60's brought about red/yellow with speed lettering. At least one made into this scheme.(1343) Do you have any of the color books? Volume 3 from 4 Ways West has three pictures showing three different schemes. 1351 retained its pinstripes but the short hood (the entire short hood) was yellow. AF Niederer
A really good source would be Lou Marre's book "Rock Island Diesel Power" which covered the Lehigh Valley of the Midwest's many schemes from the introduction of diesels until shutdown. Unfortunately, this book came out in the early 1980s, and I'm not sure it's even in print any more. You may contact someone at the Rock Island Technical Society for more info, as well as pictures. FWIW, I don't recall ever seeing a GP18 in the Barriger Blue scheme.
Regarding the GP18 paint schemes, maybe I can help! I have some photos of GP18's at Silvis on shutdown. So these should be the final scheme on that paticuliar unit. #1338 had the maroon silver stripe scheme, with yellow ends, unit no. under cab window, no lettering on hood sides. # 1351 was the same as above, except that RI was spelled out on the hood sides. RI logo on short hood. #1352 ended it's career in the maroon/stripe with RI spelled out, no yellow, R.I. underneath end number boards.
