In the late 1940's, the Marketing Department of the Chesapeake, Wheeling & Erie was charged with developing a new advertising campaign for the railroad. Given the road's main line connection between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic seaboard, it seemed important to emphasis this route when dealing with both existing and potential customers. As a result, the "Central Belt" moniker was born. This further developed into the slogan "The Central Belt- Linking the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Seaboard." The first evidence of this change on rolling stock occurred in early 1950 when the original steam era herald was replaced with the new "CWE- Central Belt" herald. And the first units delivered with this herald were the F7's that arrived on the property in 1950.
These units were followed by the first order of GP7's in June of 1951.
This paint scheme would last until early 1957 when the first of the F units were repainted into the F2 paint scheme. At this time, the railroad elected to use the Central Belt moniker as the road name with small "CW&E" initials under the cab windows on the A units and at one end of the B units. In order to improve visibility, the cab units were painted solid yellow below the grills and the ends of the GP's were painted solid yellow.
This paint scheme and numbering system would remain in effect until 1966 when the railroad began to renumber all locomotives according to horsepower ratings and the Central Belt logo was discarded for the large "CWE" herald.
Very cool look at the history of the company and really helps flesh it out as part of the national network. I enjoy the creativity of this project. Any caboose paint scheme history as well?
ReplyDeleteThanks, and interesting that you should mention caboose history. I'm working on a more modern paint scheme for the cabooses. And I'm still figuring out what the caboose roster might have looked like in the steam/diesel transition era.
DeleteLove these! I love exploring the speculative past of a freelanced layout. I've done the same as well and it has always been a great exercise in building out an interesting and plausible history.
ReplyDeleteSo would any of the early schemes maybe have painted over in the newer scheme
ReplyDeleteHence having the original paint heralds or lettering showing through Tom
And would the CWE by 1979 have retired any f units gp/sd units just curious as I model the fall of 1979 West Virginia
To answer your first question- yes, many of the first generation units would have been repainted in the new scheme after 1966. In the time I'm modeling (1976), some of those first repaints would be approaching ten years old. So it's entirely possible that some of the old scheme would show through- and a great modeling idea. Thanks!
DeleteAs for retiring units, most of the GP7-9's would still have been in service in 1979. A handful of GP7's were rebuilt into GP10's in 1976. And the F units would soldier on through 1979, finally being retired in early 1980 (as were the final Clinchfield F's).
Great work and I love the history. What paint colors and brands do you use?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Frank. The locomotive colors are Floquil Pullman Green and UP Armor Yellow.
DeleteOk thank you!
Delete