Model Train Journal

I am in the process of acquiring a Lionel Alco S-2 diesel switcher that I want to have repainted in Weirton Steel livery of the 1950s. I am looking for a locomotive painter who is a superb craftsman and does meticulous work and is reasonably quick (6 months or less). The work will involve (at a minimum):

• Safety striping
• New smokestack
• New numbering and lettering

If you know of someone, please respond to this post or send me e-mail.

Thanks,

George

Is there any source material with the prototype paint scheme? The MTH premier line has the loco in black and white. The RailKing is black and yellow. RK also has the Weirton Steel name in black on a yellow stripe. Both models have the deck as black while the one B&W photo of the prototype has a light or possibly unpainted deck and a horribly aged hulk is in "color" (actually mostly rust) with indications that the units were black and yellow (can't tell about the names as most of the side panels/doors are gone).

chuck wrote:Is there any source material with the prototype paint scheme? The MTH premier line has the loco in black and white. The RailKing is black and yellow. RK also has the Weirton Steel name in black on a yellow stripe. Both models have the deck as black while the one B&W photo of the prototype has a light or possibly unpainted deck and a horribly aged hulk is in "color" (actually mostly rust) with indications that the units were black and yellow (can't tell about the names as most of the side panels/doors are gone).

Chuck,

MTH's Railking version is the SW1500 - that's a 1990's switcher they still use. I think the Premier unit is a very dark green (or it should be).

Weirton Steel first started acquiring these units in the 1940's. In the 40's and 50's (and even up to the end of the 90's) they were painted what we laughingly called "Columbia Gas Meter Green". Many years ago, I acquired another Lionel Western Pacific S-2 and had it repainted by Tommy Gilbert in Gettysburg, PA. He does absolutely exquisite work, but it took years to get it back from him. I don't want to repeat that.

Photos of the prototype and my other model of this locomotive are here: https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B0B5aVbMKJ5FaAd

George

It is a simple paint scheme if you can get the decals abd the right shade if green paint..

In the unlikely event you didn't know, the "miscellaneous W" section of the fallen flags website has roughly 2 dozen color photos of Weirton Steel switchers in a rainbow of colors.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/misc-w/misc-w.htm

Thanks!!! The MTH Premier units from 2019 look like they are black and white. Possibly a really dark "Brunswick Green" and the lettering and stripes are not yellow (unless it's a pale pastel yellow). The stripes remind me of the old Santa Fe switcher scheme from the late 50's/early 60's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7yIKYNjj40

Prototype photo, note the deck



It's possible that the decking is covered with "dust" from the operations?

Do you know if the Legacy version has been painted, decalled, or heat stamped? If you have to strip the paint a decal or worse a heat stamped/pad printed may be more difficult to remove.

The green in your photo album reminds me of Reading Green that PolyScale had in its lineup.

BTW, thanks John. I'm heading over there shortly.

jlong wrote:In the unlikely event you didn't know, the "miscellaneous W" section of the fallen flags website has roughly 2 dozen color photos of Weirton Steel switchers in a rainbow of colors.

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/misc-w/misc-w.htm

Wow John! I didn't know about this site. Thank you!!!

George

jlong wrote:In the unlikely event you didn't know, the "miscellaneous W" section of the fallen flags website has roughly 2 dozen color photos of Weirton Steel switchers in a rainbow of colors.

Pretty Kool stuff, John!!!

Rich