While Santa Fe train 891, the eastbound Super C, spent a few minutes cutting out a troublesome diesel while in Barstow, I had the time to take detail photos of the various markings on ATSF SD45-2 5702, painted in Bicentennial colors. (These photos were later used to create the art for the Microscale decal set and Athearn’s models of the Santa Fe’s Bicentennial diesels.) One of those details is seen here, as each of the Santa Fe’s five Bicentennial engines had the Great Seal of the United States (not to be confused, as it often is, with the Presidential Seal, which has lettering around it and a dark blue background – nor with President Howard Taft, who resembles the "Great Elephant Seal of the United States") mounted on circular plates affixed to the handrail stanchions. Also, take a look at the very fine masking (curves on rough surfaces!) done by the Santa Fe San Bernardino Shops’ painting crew! They were real craftsmen. (Barstow, California – July 20, 1975)
