Hi!
I have some on my painting "to do" list as well! The original Atlas release from years ago is very hard to find, and when one time it popped up on that auction site, the asking price was ridiculous. I wrote to Atlas and asked them to re-release them but never got a response. They did release the Utah Railway coal hopper which is well done.
Based on my research the white locomotive was for the bicentennial and they used red, white and blue just for that one locomotive.
As far as the regular colors, I understand that the red is SP Scarlet Red. Vallejo makes Fantasy Scarlet Red in a rattle can that look right to me. I've checked out a number of gray paints. SP Lettering gray is way too dark. I have settled on Model Master Light Gray (FS36495-F) to closely match the Atlas units.
The yellow separation stripe switched to black/very dark blue in the late 60's I believe.
The ALCO RSD 4/5 that they used was a phase 3 engine body that had air filter intakes instead of louvered doors on the long hood. Still deciding how to model them: Cut holes in the shell or use black decal pieces.
I have a couple magazine articles from a few years ago regarding the Utah's motive power, with a little description of how they operated. Let me know if you need that. I'll try to track it down. Diesel Age I believe.
Hope that helps! Post pixs of your progress!!!
Mark
