A couple of years ago, I purchased a new Highballer set to get the colorful UP F-9 diesel and unique cars (mainly the IBP plug door boxcar and P&LE gondola). The all-yellow UP diesel has red number 514 and a large UP shield on each side. Union Pacific is spelled out in red on both sides. The roof is solid yellow. Since the UP F unit photos that I have seen all had mostly gray roofs bordered from the yellow by red pin stripe, I wonder if Bachmann actually copied a prototype for their Highballer locomotive? None of the photos show a large UP shield on the sides. Actually, it is a nice rugged beginner set and I enjoy running it for informal fun, even though I have been a model railroader for over 50 years. Of course I added numberboard decals for 514. Anyone see a photo of an actual all-yellow UP F-9 with large UP side shields? Look in the current Bachmann catalog to see this Highballer set for reference.
I have never seen a proto photo for the Highballer UP loco but adding a gray roof and the red stripping is a fairly simple job of masking the roof outline and then overlaying Champ or Microscale stripping. Spray the roof one nite and add the stripes the next nite.
jake_iv
I was hoping that Bachmann would respond. The number 514 is correct for a UP F-9. Also, UP approves model trains with their copyrite logo. Sure, I could strip the finish and start over with a standard UP paint and decal job, but the current Bachmann model is striking. Even if it is a fantasy paint job, I will leave it just because it livens things up. I will do a new short post to see if Bachmann will reply.