Standard VARR Scheme -- Simple Black With Grey Side Sills and Silver Trucks. VA Logo on Side, Nose and Tail. 98% of VARR Diesels wear this simple and cost-effective scheme. I currently have finished Two Atlas SD-35's in this Scheme. Alternate VARR Scheme -- Applied to a limited number of GP40's, this scheme was not popular with VARR management and was not reproduced. Placement of the Road Name and Logos is the same as the Standard Shceme, with the only differenc ebeing the Red Carbody and Grey Nose/End. I currently have finished One Atlas GP40 in this Scheme. Standard Illinois Southern Scheme -- The IS, a wholely owned Subsidiary of the VARR since 1980, connects with the VARR at Columbus, OH, and provides access to Chicago, and the multiple connections there. I have Not finished ANY units in this scheme as of yet, as I have yet to order the decals needed. Washington & Old Dominion (Final Scheme) -- The W&OD, a partial predecessor road to the VARR, finished it's independant existance with this scheme (fictional of course, the W&OD WAS a real road abandoned in the 60's, and is modified to suit my needs). This is the newest scheme I have designed (and is the last VARR System Scheme I will be doing, Three (VARR, IS & W&OD) should be enough for me, LOL). I am in the process of doing the first unit (an Atlas GP40) in this scheme (or something close).
Both authentic looking and creative - and with a well thought out history added, to boot. I'm impressed!
These should make for some interesting consists when mixed up a bit. Most folks settle on one paint scheme for their private road but you seem to like designing different ones.
Those are some nice looking designs! I especially like the Illinois Southern version. Hey Russell- Remember the Rock Island during it's final decade? All kinds of paint variants. Or how about the Minneapolis & St.Louis- After the final red/white paint was introduced, their fleet of 35 RS1's alone carried ten different paint schemes all during the same time. Boxcab E50
The Washington and OD may, MAY, look better with silver trucks. Gotta admit, I'd swear these were/are actual roads. Pictures look just as good as they do on another *cough* Atlas *cough* forum Bill
Wow VARR, thems some mighty purty trains. I really like the classic look of the first two, but those two new schemes you developed are fantastic. I have seen the IS scheme before but not the WOD. Maybe you could have Tox produce some of those for you. I'd buy one of those as well.
I really like all your schemes, and the text and logo gets an absolute A+ in my book. It wouldn't be the first time that a 'real' railroad adopted at least some model elements. It could happen. There's a couple painting details I think would help the believability, based upon typical shortline/regional railroad practice. I like the red and gray scheme, but it needs something for contrast visibility on the nose. Maybe some kind of striping; red on white; white on the gray; something.... Remember that Scotchline stripes and spots are typical also, and usually something high contrast on the frame edges too. It's not a have-to by any means, but if your railroad runs as fast as I think and runs across as many level grade crossings in that area as RF&P/CSX, the issue of grade crossing visibility for crews will have come up. That Illinois Southern scheme is pretty much right-on too; that could be done in 1:1 any day now. Probably 90% of paint schemes end up with black trucks and fuel tank. That scheme would sure look sexy in silver trucks, but they probably wouldn't stay that way for long. You're good at weathering - maybe a weathered silver would look excellent. The only thing I saw that I've never seen in the field though is painting the EMD radiator fan housings on top. Can't say as I've ever seen that one in the flesh, let alone it is hard to do. When I have seen it on roads like ATSF, it was because they swapped out a radiator fan housing that was a mismatched paint color. When I was down at Huntington Shops in November, CSX was very proud of the fact they were saving all of $700 per unit repainted in the "Dark Future" for lack of painting the third color. I think it stinks, but every once in a while the accountants win one. (Yeah, I do know what you do!!!!)
