Interchange: Santa Fe

The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway (reporting mark ATSF), often referred to as the Santa Fe or AT&SF, was one of the larger railroads in the United States. The railroad officially ceased operations on December 31, 1996, when it merged with the Burlington Northern Railroad to form the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway.

Roster Information

Refrigerator Car Classes

Stock Car Classes

All cars were built by the Pennsylvania Car Company. 

All cars were painted Mineral Brown which includes sides, ends, roofs, doors, undercarriages and trucks. The exception is the doors on the double deck cars which are painted reefer yellow for easy identification.

Lettering was all white. The sides carried only the reporting marks and the car number. Contrary to several model manufacturers, the name Santa Fe and the emblem never appeared on the stock cars. Dimensional data and car class were carried on the sill and reporting marks and road number were carried on the drovers door on the ends of the car.

The double deck cars were convertible to single deck cars by means of a winching mechanism on the side of the car which would lift the upper deck up to the inside of the roof to get it out of the way if the car was to be used to carry horses or cattle.

Paint Schemes

Freight Cars

1868-1938: "A.T. & S. F." used as reporting marks.

1937: Reporting marks on car numbers added on reefer ice hatch covers.

1937-1947: SF Trail Tansportation logo (Santa Fe in Circle Cross with three lines to left like Warbonnet).

1938-1944: "A.T.S.F." and "S.F.R.D." used as reporting marks.

1940: Ends of reefer cars started being painted black.

1940: Curved line maps on freight cars (two styles); soon converted to straight line map style.

1940-1947: Straight line maps with "Santa Fe all the Way" on freight cars left side with passenger train slogans on right side: Super Chief, El Capitan, Chief, Grand Canyon, and Scout.

1942: "Buy War Bonds" slogan used on 368 Bx-36 cars (left of doors); some lasting to mid 1950s.

1943: Express boxcars lost their maps and slogans to be replaced by the word "EXPRESS" in 5" Roman.

1943-1995: "ATSF" used as reporting marks.

1946: Scout slogan dropped.

1947: Freight cars rebuilt or repainted after this date received new style slogans.

1947-1958: "Ship & Travel" used on freight cars instead of maps.

1948: Texas Chief slogan added.

1951: Mineral Brown antislip painted roofs begin replacing black antislip roofs but black still in use.

1953: Express reefers (new #4050-4099 and rebuilds #4000-4049) were painted in same color scheme as REA reefers with Diamond REA herald centered to right of doors.

1953-1955: SF Trail Transportation logo is now the circle cross in square with words spelled out.

1954: San Francisco Chief slogan added.

1956: Express reefers revised color scheme appears (change from Coach Green to Kelly Green).

1956: Grand Canyon Line slogan dropped.

1958: Scout slogan dropped.

1958: SF lettering in heralds changed to modern style (Cooper, which is more round and fatter).

1959: Introduction of large circle/cross herald with "Ship & Travel All the Way" on both sides.

1972: Mineral Red used on box cars instead of Mineral Brown.

1972: Billboard "Santa Fe" lettering introduced to replace "Ship & Travel" slogan.

1986: Large herald and Indiana Red paint discontinued; now Mineral Brown.

Diesels

Diesels used as switchers between 1935 and 1960 were painted black, with just a thin white or silver horizontal accent stripe (the sills were painted similarly). The letters "A.T.& S.F." were applied in a small font centered on the sides of the unit, as was the standard blue and white "Santa Fe" box logo.

Santa Fe's first set of diesel-electric passenger locomotives was placed in service on the Super Chief in 1936, and consisted of a pair of blunt-nosed units (EMC 1800 hp B-B) designated as Nos. 1 and 1A. The upper portion of the sides and ends of the units were painted gold, while the lower section was a dark olive green color; an olive stripe also ran along the sides and widened as it crossed the front of the locomotive.Santa Fe's first set of diesel-electric passenger locomotives was placed in service on the Super Chief in 1936, and consisted of a pair of blunt-nosed units (EMC 1800 hp B-B) designated as Nos. 1 and 1A. The upper portion of the sides and ends of the units were painted gold, while the lower section was a dark olive green color; an olive stripe also ran along the sides and widened as it crossed the front of the locomotive.
Riveted to the sides of the units were metal plaques bearing a large "Indian Head" logo, which owed its origin to the 1926 Chief "drumhead" logo. "Super Chief" was emblazoned on a plaque located on the front. The rooftop was light slate gray, rimmed by a red pinstripe. This unique combination of colors was called the Golden Olive paint scheme. Before entering service, Sterling McDonald's General Motors Styling Department augmented the look with the addition of red and blue striping along both the sides and ends of the units in order to enhance their appearance.

1936 to 1937: EMC/GE SC Diesels delivered in black (#2301 #2 to be #2150 followed by #2151-2153). 

1937 Summer: ALCO/GE HH-600 delivered (#2301 & #2302) in basic black paint (no name no herald but initials quickly added & later a square herald).

In a little over a year, the EMC E1 (a new and improved streamlined locomotive) would be pulling the Super Chief and other passenger consists, resplendent in the now-famous Warbonnet paint scheme devised by Leland Knickerbocker of the GM Art and Color Section. Its design is protected under U.S. Patent D106,920, granted on November 9, 1937. It is reminiscent of a Native American ceremonial headdress. The scheme consisted of a red "bonnet" which wrapped around the front of the unit and was bordered by a yellow stripe and black pinstripe. The extent of the bonnet varied according to the locomotive model, and was largely determined by the shape and length of the carbody. The remainder of the unit was either painted silver or was composed of stainless-steel panels.In a little over a year, the EMC E1 (a new and improved streamlined locomotive) would be pulling the Super Chief and other passenger consists, resplendent in the now-famous Warbonnet paint scheme devised by Leland Knickerbocker of the GM Art and Color Section. Its design is protected under U.S. Patent D106,920, granted on November 9, 1937. It is reminiscent of a Native American ceremonial headdress. The scheme consisted of a red "bonnet" which wrapped around the front of the unit and was bordered by a yellow stripe and black pinstripe. The extent of the bonnet varied according to the locomotive model, and was largely determined by the shape and length of the carbody. The remainder of the unit was either painted silver or was composed of stainless-steel panels.

All units wore a nose emblem consisting of an elongated yellow "Circle and Cross" emblem with integral "tabs" on the nose and the sides, outlined and accented with black pinstripes, with variances according to the locomotive model. "SANTA FE" was displayed on the horizontal limb of the cross in black, Art Deco-style lettering. This emblem has come to be known as the "cigar band" due to its uncanny resemblance to the same. On all but the "Erie-built" units (which were essentially run as a demonstrator set), GE U28CG, GE U30CG, and FP45 units, a three-part yellow and black stripe ran up the nose behind the band.

A "Circle and Cross" motif (consisting of a yellow field, with red quadrants, outlined in black) was painted around the side windows on "as-delivered" E1 units. Similar designs were added to EMD E3s, EMD E6s, the DL109/110 locomotive set, and ATSF 1A after it was rebuilt and repainted. The sides of the units typically bore the words "SANTA FE" in black, 5"– or 9"–high extra extended Railroad Roman letters, as well as the "Indian Head" logo, with a few notable exceptions.

1937 09: EMC/Westinghouse NWs delivered (#2350-2352) in black paint scheme.

1939 09 to 1943 04: EMC NW2s delivered in black paint scheme (#2353-2367).

1939 11 to 1945: Baldwin/Westinghouse VO1000s are delivered in black paint scheme (#2201-2259).

Due to the lack of abundant water sources in the American desert, the Santa Fe Railway was among the first railroads to receive large numbers of streamlined diesel locomotives for use in freight service, in the form of the EMD FT. For the first group of FTs, delivered between December, 1940 and March, 1943 (#100–#119), the railroad selected a color scheme consisting of dark blue accented by a pale yellow stripe up the nose, and pale yellow highlights around the cab and along the mesh and framing of openings in the sides of the engine compartment; a thin, red stripe separated the blue areas from the yellow.

Because of a labor dispute with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, who insisted that every cab in a diesel-electric locomotive consist must be manned, FT sets #101-#105 were delivered in A-B-B-B sets, instead of A-B-B-A sets used by the rest of Santa Fe's FT's. Santa Fe quickly prevailed in this labor dispute, and FT sets from #106-onward were delivered as A-B-B-A sets.

The words SANTA FE were applied in yellow in a 5"–high extended font, and centered on the nose was the "Santa Fe" box logo (initially consisting of a blue cross, circle, and square painted on a solid bronze sheet, but subsequently changed to baked steel sheets painted bronze with the blue identifying elements applied on top). Three thin, pale yellow stripes (known as Cat Whiskers) extended from the nose logo around the cab sides.

1941 01 to 1945: EMC FTA/Bs delivered (#100-199 & #400-430) in cream yellow Phase 1 FT Cat Whisker with full red stripe. 

1944 to 1949: Phase 2 FT Cat Whisker Scheme with red nose only stripe.

1945: #2301 HH0600 is in Tiger Stripe paint scheme. After World War II, diagonal white or silver stripes were added to the ends and cab sides to increase the visibility at grade crossings (typically referred to as the Zebra Stripe scheme). "A.T.& S.F." was now placed along the sides of the unit just above the accent stripe, with the blue and white "Santa Fe" box logo below.

1945 04 to 1948: Fairbanks-Morse delivers H10-44 in black paint scheme (#500).

1947 to 1954: Phase 3 FT Cat Whisker Scheme with no red stripe.

1949: First 200 class (F3's) were delivered in a Cat Whisker Scheme without red pin striping.

1949 06 to 1953: Freight #202LABC-268LABC (F7's) delivered in cream yellow and blue cat whisker nose emblem. Freight #269LABC-274LABD (F7's) delivered in chrome yellow and blue with cigar band nose emblem.

1950 07: Baldwin DS4-4-750s delivered (#0525-533) in zebra paint style.

1950 09 to 1953: EMD GP7s delivered (#2650-2893) in introduction of full zebra stripes paint scheme.

1950 to 1957: Fairbanks-Morse H12-44 delivered (#503-540) in zebra paint scheme.

1951: Fairbanks-Morse H16-44 delivered (#2800-2819) in zebra paint scheme.

1951 07 to 09: ALCO RSD4s delivered (#2100-2109) in zebra paint scheme.

In January, 1951, Santa Fe revised the scheme to consist of three yellow stripes running up the nose, with the addition of a blue and yellow Cigar Band (similar in size and shape to that applied to passenger units); the blue background and elongated yellow "SANTA FE" lettering were retained.

1951 to 1953: FT all blue paint scheme with cigar band nose emblem.

1951 to 1953: ALCO S4s delivered (#1500-1537) in zebra paint scheme.

1953 10: F unit CIgar Band Scheme starts replacing Cat Whisker Scheme. Would remain standard for F3's and F7's until Yellow Bonnet Scheme in 1972.

1954: B units gained Santa Fe lettering on sides.

1956: EMD F9s delivered (#281LABC-289LABC) in Frt Blue with yellow stripe & cigar band nose paint.

1956 05 to 1957 04: EMD GP9s delivered (#700-751) in zebra paint.

1958: Last known sighting of Cat Whisker Scheme - on F7 257.

1959: EMD SW1200s delivered (#2439-2441) in zebra paint.

1959 05 to 1960 07: EMD SD24s delivered (#900-979) in zebra paint (45) & rest in Blue with Yellow stripe.

1959 to 1960: ALCO RSD15s delivered (#800-849) in zebra paint (#800-823) & rest in Blue with Yellow stripe.

The years 1960 to 1972 saw non-streamlined freight locomotives sporting the "Billboard" color scheme (sometimes referred to as the "Bookends" or "Pinstripe" scheme), wherein the units were predominantly dark blue with yellow ends and trim, with a single yellow accent pinstripe. The words "Santa Fe" were applied in yellow in a large serif Cooper Black font (logotype) to the sides of the locomotive below the accent stripe (save for yardswitchers which displayed the "SANTA FE" in small yellow letters above the accent stripe, somewhat akin to the Zebra Stripe arrangement).

1960: Blue and Yellow paint scheme adopted for diesels.

1960 Feb 13: PA #0053L painted gold for a GE commercial “Trainload of Bargains”.

1960 05 to 1961 12: EMD GP20s delivered (#1100-1174) in blue with yellow stripe.

1962 04 to 1963: GE U25Bs delivered (#1600-1615) in blue with yellow stripe.

1962 04 to 1963: EMD GP30s delivered (#1200-1284) in blue with yellow stripe.

1964 01 to 1969: EMD GP35s delivered (#1300-1460) in blue with yellow stripe.

1966: GE U28CGs delivered (#350-359) for passenger service in red & silver warbonnet paint.

1966 03 to 1966 04: EMD SD40s delivered (#1700-1719) in blue with yellow stripe.

1966 06 to 1970: EMD SD45s delivered (#1800-1889) in blue with yellow stripe.

1967: GE U30CGs delivered (#400-405) for passenger & Super C freight service in red & silver warbonnet paint.

1967: EMD FP45s delivered (#100-108) for passenger service in red & silver warbonnet paint.

1968: EMD F45s delivered (#1900-1939) in blue with yellow stripe.

1969 05 to 1969 06: EMD SD39s delivered (#4000-4019) in blue with yellow stripe.

1969 05 to 1969 07: GE U23Cs delivered (#7500-7519) in blue with yellow stripe.

1969 06 to 1969 08: GE U33Cs delivered (#8500-8524) in blue with yellow stripe.

1960s late: Most zebras are gone with only a couple left by 1969.

1970 06 to 1970 09: EMD GP38s delivered (#3500-3560) in blue with yellow stripe.

1970 06 to 1971 02: GE U23Bs delivered (#6300-6348) in blue with yellow stripe.

1971 07: Blue bonnets (325 class).

1972 05 to 1974 05: EMD SD45-2s delivered (#5625-5714) in blue with yellow stripe (5625-5661) & Blue Yellow Warbonnet for the rest.

1972 05 to 1975 02: GE U36Cs delivered (#8700-8799) in blue with yellow stripe (01-05) then yellow bonnets.

From 1972 to 1996, and even on into the BNSF era, the company adopted a paint scheme often known among railfans as the "Yellowbonnet", which placed more yellow on the locomotives (reminiscent of the company's retired Warbonnet scheme); the goal again was to ensure higher visibility at grade crossings. The truck assemblies, previously colored black, now received silver paint.

1972 06: Beginning of the yellow bonnet scheme.

1972 06: Yellow bonnets paint (325 class) started & Blue bonnets paint discontinued.

1972 08: Yellow bonnets paint (300 class F7A) for Amtrak power.

1972 11 to ?: GP7s upgraded (low hoods, pilots etc) & painted in yellow bonnet with new #s.

1974 08 to 1980: EMD GP39-2s delivered (#3600-3705) in blue & yellow warbonnet.

1975 02 21 to 1976 01: Bicentennial paint applied to 5 SD45-2s (#5700-5704) lasting until 1978 and were generally assigned to the point of the Super C until it was discontinued in 1976 May.

1977 10 to 1981: EMD SD40-2s delivered (#5020-5192, 5200-5213) mostly in blue & yellow warbonnet but some delivered in yellow only due to backlog at paint shop.

1977 12 to 1982 12: GE C30-7s delivered (#8010-8166) in blue & yellow warbonnet.

1978 04 to 1978 06: EMD GP40Xs delivered (#3800-3809) in blue & yellow warbonnet.

1978 04 to 1984: GE B23-7s delivered (#6350-6418) in blue & yellow warbonnet.

1980 10 to 1980 11: GE B36-7s delivered (#7484-7499) in blue & yellow warbonnet.

1981 01 to 1985: EMD GP50s delivered (#3810-3854) in blue & yellow warbonnet.

1984 04 to 1984 12: GE B39-8s delivered (#7400-7402) in blue & yellow warbonnet.

1984 late: Last blue & yellow pinstripe roadswitchers repainted (not counting switchers 1453 or 1460).

Several experimental and commemorative paint schemes emerged during Santa Fe's diesel era. One combination was developed and partially implemented in anticipation of a merger between the parent companies of the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific (SP) railroads in 1984. The red, yellow, and black paint scheme (with large yellow block letters "SF" on the sides and ends of the units; space was left preceding the SF to complete the planned combined SPSF) of the proposed Southern Pacific Santa Fe Railroad (SPSF) has come to be somewhat derisively known among railfans as the Kodachrome livery, due to the similarity in colors to the boxes containing slide film sold by the Eastman Kodak Company under the same name. A joke among railfans is that "SPSF" really stands for "Shouldn't Paint So Fast."

1985 08 to end of 1990: SPSF Kodachrome paint on Santa Fe locomotives (1984 late: Last blue & yellow pinstripe roadswitchers repainted (not counting switchers 1453 or 1460).

1988 05 to 1989 08: EMD GP60s delivered (#4000-4039) in yellow warbonnet.

1988 06 to 1989 04: GE –840Bs delivered (#7410-7449) in yellow warbonnet.

In 1989, Santa Fe resurrected the "Warbonnet" scheme and applied the scheme in a modified fashion to two FP45 units, #5992 and #5998 (displaying "Santa Fe" in billboard-style red letters across the side). The units were re-designated as #101 and #102 and reentered service on July 4, 1989 as part of the new "Super Fleet" campaign (the first Santa Fe units to be so decorated for freight service). The six remaining FP45 units were thereafter similarly repainted and renumbered. From that point forward, most new locomotives wore red and silver, and many retained this scheme after the Burlington Northern Santa Fe merger, some with "BNSF" displayed across their sides.

1989 07: Red and silver warbonnet reappears on FP45's.

For the initial deliveries of factory-new "Super Fleet" equipment, Santa Fe took delivery of the EMD GP60M, GP60B and General Electric B40-8W, which made Santa Fe the only US Class I railroad to operate new 4-axle (B-B) freight locomotives equipped with the North American Safety Cab. These units were intended for high-speed intermodal service, but toward the final days of the railroad, could be found working local trains and branchline assignments.

1990 05 to 1990 06: EMD GP60Ms delivered (#100-162) mostly red & silver warbonnet (12 in primer).

1990 08 13: Special train with GP60M #146 painted for Maersk Lines promotional film on Cajon Pass.

1990 10 to 1992: GE B40-8Ws delivered (#500-582) in red & silver warbonnet.

1991 07 to 1991 09: EMD GP60Bs delivered (#325-347) in silver with red lettering & red-yellow-black stripes.

1991 early to late 1993 / early 1994: US flag stickers on locomotives for the first Gulf War.

1992 04 to 1992 10: GE C40-8Ws delivered (#800-951) in red & silver warbonnet.

1994: GE –944CWs delivered (#600-699) in red & silver warbonnet.

1994 08 to 1994 09: MK1200Gs delivered by Morrison-Knudsen (#1200-1201) in yellow warbonnet.

1995: EMD SD75Ms delivered (#200-250) in red & silver warbonnet.

1995 09 22: Santa Fe (fm 1868 Oct 28 or 1859) combined with Burlington Northern to become BNSF.