So I really messed up. I tried to pin stripe the car by hand obviously not a good idea. Basically, I’ll have to sand one side of the car down, repaint the car and the roof lesson learned. In my defense, I didn’t want to put tape pin stripes on the car but guess that’s what I’m gonna have to do. Actually Iv pin striped automobiles before but a 1/16 pinstripe on a train car straight as an arrow isn’t the same thing.
Paint job was done with some over-the-counter rust-oleum paint. But I planned on doing other cars so I wanted to have something that was common. I could get my hands on.
After about four coats of paint and sanding in between each coat of paint, got a real super nice smooth finish on it. Gotta paint the roof gray, and the bottom line gray and put red pinstripe on. It will be posting pictures when it’s done.
This is Southern Pacific Steam Locomotive 745. I have had the privilege of being part of her preservation for more than 40 years. From the day she was removed from her long-static display, to the first time she breathed steam again, and now through her current re-tubing and other work as part of her 1,472-day inspection, I have been fortunate to witness every chapter of her remarkable journey.
This project has been far more than the restoration of a locomotive. It has been a lifelong source of purpose, perseverance, and learning. Every challenge we faced along the way became an opportunity to grow, and every milestone reminded us why preserving history matters.
My hope is that 745 continues to inspire generations to come. If you're a railfan, or if you have children who are fascinated by these incredible machines, encourage that curiosity and keep the passion alive. The future of our railroad heritage depends on those willing to appreciate, preserve, and carry these stories forward.
It’s a long video, but I learned a lot along the way. This part belong to a Takeuchi skid steer dealer wanted 280$ I repaired it for 65$ worth of o rings and seals.