It was probably a mixup with a novus person doing the taping (pre-decalling) for the main colours. Perhaps the upper part of the zigzag was measured incorrectly from the top of the long hood. Could also be that the left-side zigzag was used on the right side of the locomotive. Any of these conditions would alter the appearance of UP's striking colour scheme.

Reminds me of a time when driving to work, and the last point to view the BNSF before the road splits from the mainline and fades behind a hill. If I'm lucky, I can see a northbound waiting to get a track in the congested yard- that is, if it's not already parked on a yard track. One time I saw an old GP30 rebuild (GP39M) with a "spartan" cab. Really unusual looking, and when it's 25' from you through the passenger side window at 35mph, well, it was gone in a flash.

almo