I built this HO scale model back in 1984-85 using an undecorated Atlas Alco S2 switcher. The unit is painted as Western Pacific #551 in as-delivered colors for the railroad's diesel switchers in the 1940s through very early '50s. WP #551 was constructed by Alco in August 1943. This black & white paint scheme lasted into the early 1950s, at which time the railroad adopted aluminum & orange colors for all its diesels such as those applied to WP's locos used on the famous California Zephyr passenger train.

The model has operated for roughly 20+ years on my model railroad club's layout, the West Bay Model Railroad Club in Menlo Park, CA. Since Atlas recently announced they're releasing this same paint scheme in an upcoming production run, a first in HO scale, I thought I'd share photos my loco built many years ago. Interesting how Atlas will also offer WP #551 http://www.atlasrr.com/HOLoco/hos2s43.htm

In taking photos of my model, I noticed from the enlargements that some details are damaged and/or missing and need to be replaced, i.e. windshield wipers, broken off airhorn, and the MV lenses have yellowed over the years. Some of the weathering has also worn off in places, namely the slippery plastic handrails and stanchions. And yes, I fashioned my own Alco curved corner handrails on the front of the unit. ;^)

The loco has provided me with exceptionally reliable service for many years, still runs smooth as the day I purchased it. Time to fix some of the broken items, clean her up a little, and the unit should provide another 20-years of dependable operation.