1944 - 1946
SP changed the yard-switcher paint scheme in 1944, with the delivery of Baldwin DS-1000's (VO-1000) #1377 - 1385.
These came with orange diagonal stripes applied on the entire long hood end, and wrapping around the side a short distance, in a chevron pattern. The cab end was striped up to the bottom of the windows, some units to just below, this also wrapped around the cab sideways.
The frame and pilots were also striped, all stripes were continuous, ie. they followed a pattern, always facing the same way, and the hood and cab end, and pilot stripes forming a continuous pattern when viewed end on. There was also an orange pin-stripe along the top of the hood.
New units also had the air reservoirs striped, but usually lost this on the first repaint.
The lettering on the hood-side remained "Southern Pacific Lines" but painted in orange (the word Lines not being dropped until 1946).
The cabside number was orange
New units delivered and older units painted during this time-frame, also received this early Tiger Stripe scheme.
The orange is the same as Daylight Orange.
Locos known to have appeared in this scheme:
- SP - SW1, NW2, S-2, DS-1000 (VO-1000), GE 44 tonner.
- T&NO - S-2.
- SSW - none that I have found so far.
Known Variations:
- The ALCo S-2's had the fuel tank below the frame, between the trucks, striped.
- GE 44-tonners also had this area below the frame striped.
- Some units painted in late 1946 may have received the later paint scheme.
In June 1946, SP dropped the word "Lines" from the lettering, and went to 15 inch lettering. Units delivered in 1947, starting with the S-2's, came painted this way in the Yard-Switcher Tiger Stripe scheme.
Return to Paint Schemes.
27 January 2024