Why the Western Pacific eventually phased out the orange and silver color scheme on diesel locomotives and cabooses.

I found this historic 1960's era color photograph from the Western Pacific Railroad at My Link page Fallen Flags.Org, wich is located to the right of Your computer screen at http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/

The Western Pacific Railroad had been using a very attractive and striking silver and orange color scheme on their diesel electric locomotives during the 1950's and 60's era. This photograph shows how this once attractive color scheme, did not weather very well, and looked totally ugly and faded by the mid 1960's.

Railfan photographer Richard Smith, photographed this Western Pacific Alco (American Locomotive Company) model S 4 yard switcher at Oakland California in 1966.

The W P's modern and striking silver and orange color scheme was very attractive when introduced, however constant exposure to California's hot sunshine, dry desert air and Wintertime rains, would eventually cause severe fading of the paint. Cobined with the fact that this unique color scheme was difficult and expensive to maintain, the Western Pacific eventually settled on painting their engines in first a solid orange and black color scheme, and later, a dark green with orange lettering scheme by the early 1970's.