Union Pacific Steam Locomotive Painting and Lettering

This page was last updated on March 18, 2008.

Throughout its history, Union Pacific used a variety of paint schemes for its steam locomotives. At first there were the colorful schemes of the pioneer era of the 1860s and 1870s. The cost of maintaining these colorful schemes likely led to all locomotives receiving a more standardized black scheme that continued into the mid to late 1930s.

Before 1937 — Information about the "number-on-tender" era of UP's steam locomotive paint schemes, with its serif (Roman) lettering.

After 1937 — Information about the "number-on-cab" era of UP's steam locomotive paint schemes, with its sans-serif (Gothic) lettering. (click here for some brief comments about Gothic lettering on UP)

Two-Tone Gray — Information about the two-tone gray era of UP's steam locomotive paint schemes, used on passenger locomotives from the mid 1940s through the mid 1950s.

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