I believe this was one of the best paint schemes ever put on a diesel. Unfortunately the GN merged with the CB&Q, SP&S, and NP and the resulting company chose a boring green and black replacement before Big Sky Blue repaints were completed.
This freight pulled by a trio of GE U33C's is crossing the Two Medicine bridge outside East Glacier, Montana on July 2, 1968
Always wondered what the old Great Northern looked like... Have to agree with everyone else, that is an outstanding paint scheme. I also like the SP Daylight and Black Widow paint schemes, as well as KCS's Southern Belle. Also real pretty was the Chessie System paint before CSX ruined everything...
That's why Montana is officially called "The Big Sky Country" and the scheme really was called "Big Sky Blue." I love Montana and Robert's scenery photos. My alter-ego likes to hike and climb.
The sky blue paint is definitely nice, but I must say I would [bare minimum] rank the mid-century Empire Builder scheme of Omaha Orange and Pullman Green as an equal. I'm biased though, because those were my wedding colors.
No gold. We had plenty of silver though, with mirror squares on the tables, silver and aluminum jewelry, and the ceremony held on the obs platform of a classic Pullman car.
Have to agree with everyone else, that is an outstanding paint scheme. I also like the SP Daylight and Black Widow paint schemes, as well as KCS's Southern Belle. Also real pretty was the Chessie System paint before CSX ruined everything...