ALCOs S2 and S4 at LAJ
#1
I am thinking about a layout between 1941 and 1974 of the LAJ. That would be a great opportunity to run the nice (small!!) S2 and S4.
The newly available Bachmann Santa Fe S4 in Zebra scheme might be used as a base.

I have got two questions:
1. The LAJ ALCOs are described as dark blue and NOT black as the Santa Fe zebras are. How blue is that blue? It looks very much like black on most photos. Is it a nogo to use the Santa Fe zebra as a base, even with some weathering?
2. I can not find any source for the lettering at the side of the hood (Los Angeles Junction RWY). And should it be white or silver?

ps. I would like to know your experience if you already got a new Bachmann S4
Reinhard
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#2
Reinhard,

Alcos S2 :

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.locophotos.com/pix/41/Los%20Angeles%20Junction%20LAJ%203_Vernon%20CA_Craig%20Walker_1973-03-10_41110.jpg">http://www.locophotos.com/pix/41/Los%20 ... _41110.jpg</a><!-- m -->

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.locophotos.com/pix/41/Los%20Angeles%20Junction%20LAJ%201_Vernon%20CA_Craig%20Walker_1973-03-10_41109.jpg">http://www.locophotos.com/pix/41/Los%20 ... _41109.jpg</a><!-- m -->

S2 + S4 :

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1Uz0ArNhKvw/S-bO-HJuA2I/AAAAAAAAGsA/Auk9BDvNQtI/s640/LAJ%252520ALCOS%252520%2525231%252520S2%252520%252526%252520%2525237%252520S4.jpg">http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1Uz0ArNhKvw/S-bO- ... 2520S4.jpg</a><!-- m -->


Harry
greeting from the blade city Solingen / gruß aus der Klingenstadt Solingen

Harry

Scale Z and N
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#3
Harry, thank you. I know that photos. Those examples look "very blue". There are others that look black or dark gray. The problem with color shades is the long way from the (then analog) camera to the film, the exposure, transfer to digital and finally my display.
I do therefor ask the "young people" from LA e.g. Russ and Andy how those engines looked and if the impression was close to black or dark gray.
Reinhard
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#4
Reinhard, not sure if you can see these without being a member but this was posted today
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?11,2631524">http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/r ... 11,2631524</a><!-- m -->
Definitely dark blue with white lettering
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#5
As a Los Angeles resident and LAJ fan, I would say that the color was black. You can search a number of photo sites like Fallen Flags and rrpicturarchives and get a fair number of color photos of the LAJ Alcos, the overwhelming number of which will show black. The white/silver was probably silver at first, as on actual Santa Fe zebra locos, but weathered to white after a period of years, so showed white in photos. You can take your choice! Later LAJ Alco photos show other Santa Fe type modifications, like extended exhaust stack and cab window awnings, which suggests that the LAJ generally followed Santa Fe practice. However, the zebra stripes were of a different thickness and spacing than Santa Fe.

There was a very similar operation at the other end of the Santa Fe, the Illinois Northern in Chicago. After the late 1940s, it was owned by the Santa Fe and had Alcos lettered for IN a la LAJ, but the pattern was in this case the same as Santa Fe zebra striping. I'm thinking hard about getting a Bachmann S4 and changing the lettering to Illinois Northern -- slightly easier than doing LAJ.
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#6
I did see Andy's thread in the Diesel Detailer Forum. Has the search for LAJ decals been fruitful?
Reinhard
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#7
jwb Wrote:.... I'm thinking hard about getting a Bachmann S4 and changing the lettering to Illinois Northern -- slightly easier than doing LAJ.
The postman delivered my Bachmann S4 from Train World, NY an hour ago. They are a real bargain!
They have nice details like coupler levers and thin flexible handrails. The paint and finish is nice satin/dull black. The drive and electronic board looks brand new with LED and reminds me very much on the Bachmann 45tons switcher. It runs smooth and much quieter than Bachmanns 44tons and 70tons switcher. It is certainly a new generation of Bachmann entry market engines.

They are currently doing their break in run to become even better.
I will use them as base for a possible LAJ modification some time later. My Atlas S2 are to rare and valuable to become forced into a LAJ look. btw. the Atlas S2 and the Bachmann S4 looks absolute the same side by side with 2' distance.

Three points I have to mention
- The frame and truck is gloss black. That needs to be toned down.
- The coupler pocket are to small for Kadee whisker couplers. Kadee pocket fit perfect after some minor trimming.
- The cab sides of the Atlas S2 has rivets etc. The Bachmann cab sides are plain without details.
Reinhard
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#8
Reinhard;

Is this the new Bachmann S-4 with sound? Been thinking about purchasing one of them since the price is so good for the sound-equipped loco ($99). Your comments about the models running quality and detail have about convinced me to order one, but was wondering if it does indeed sound like an ALCo? I need another locomotive like a case of the flu, but...
Ed
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"
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#9
Two photos of a closed and an opened engine.
I do always buy the DC version only and install my own choice of decoder. It is most time the ZIMO MX630 (a decoder made in Vienna, Austria).

[Image: IMG_1109.jpg?t=1323693187]
[Image: IMG_1108.jpg?t=1323693185]
Reinhard
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#10
Thanks for the photos! The plain/welded cab side is correct for the S4. This was pointed out on Another Forum, but then a dozen or so posters simply ASSUMED Bachmann wouldn't get it right! Your clarification helps -- now I've gotta get one. According to the Walthers site, more road names are on the way, but both ATSF and WM are very appealing to me.
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#11
Faraway
Have two Santa Fe Bachmann S-4s. One is DCC/sound & has been renumbered to 1531. The 2nd has been stripped to be repainted as LAJ S-2 #1 as shown in my post about the LAJ decals today.
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Andy Jackson
Santa Fe Springs CA
ATSF/LAJ Ry Fan & Modeler
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#12
lajry Wrote:Faraway
Have two Santa Fe Bachmann S-4s. One is DCC/sound & has been renumbered to 1531. The 2nd has been stripped to be repainted as LAJ S-2 #1 as shown in my post about the LAJ decals today.
<!-- l --><a class="postlink-local" href="http://www.the-gauge.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4400">viewtopic.php?f=25&t=4400</a><!-- l -->
Andy, those engines will be a perfect match for your layout!
Reinhard
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#13
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Charlie Slater who was a LAJ conductor '70-'84 (then Santa Fe) says their ALCOs were painted Santa Fe blue w/ white zebra stripes. Both Microscale *&-1161 & Champ EH-127S can be used for the zebras. You'll have to find the white stripe decals for the long hood & the top of the nose zebras. Charlie also did the article on the LAJ in the 10/03 Warbonnet. The Santa Fe had owned the LAJ since 1972.
As an aside to other possible LAJ engines, Charlie sent me an email saying they were going to get 4 SSB12oos but they were derailed on the way there. Santa Fe sent them back & told LAJ they'd have to keep using CF7s. Having a Kato SSB painted NW2 may just do an LAJ version since it is my MR. LOL Just have to decide whether to do it like the ALCOs or the CF7s.
Andy Jackson
Santa Fe Springs CA
ATSF/LAJ Ry Fan & Modeler
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#14
Hello All

Somehow someway a website was created w/ my LAJ ALCO pix. Guess Google "grabbed" them & put them in an album. Click on any image & it takes to that one then click the white "<" ">" to see the next one. Wonder if they'll will do the same w/ my CF7 & MK1200G pix?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/107389354387456095061/albums/5469286301623063329">https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1073 ... 1623063329</a><!-- m -->

Have a list of about 15 names of guys who have shown an interest in the LAJ. Do you guys think a LAJ Yahoo Group is warranted? Let me know at <!-- e --><a href="mailto:karand1988@yahoo.com">karand1988@yahoo.com</a><!-- e -->. Enjoy
Andy Jackson
Santa Fe Springs CA
ATSF/LAJ Ry Fan & Modeler
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#15
Found something interesting about the LAJ ALCO S-2 & S-4. in their later years (post 1960?) they had beacons on both ends. Charlie Slater says they were used only for grade Xings. But in going thru all my pix of them found 4 w/ no beacons:
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://tinyurl.com/d78tl6j">http://tinyurl.com/d78tl6j</a><!-- m -->
Two were slides purchased on eBay w/ 5/58 dates & one w/ a 7/4/55 date. All sure look blue to my eyes. AND at the Bakersfield MR show 3/9/13 Charlie Slater showed me the builders plate from LAJ #4 that was definitely painted blue! Charlie hasn't gotten back to me on the Beacon installation date yet. Asked a current LAJ trainman if he could find any info on these. Also included is an image of LAJ #2 w/ a mounting bracket but no beacon.
Andy Jackson
Santa Fe Springs CA
ATSF/LAJ Ry Fan & Modeler
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