UP LIghtning Stripes

[favuprailroadfan]

Matt, I know its been awhile since I've been on here but here is the deal. Yes the UP took the lightning stripe concept directly from the CNW. They did that to show that the CNW was and still is a big part of their system. I have seen the stripe on several AC4400 and 6000 through Liberal. All of the new SP and CNW repaints are receiving the stripe. I just saw UP 9821 come through town and it was fresh from the shop and it had the stripe. The stripe looks best on the new 70M's though, they just blend in real good with the paint scheme. I hope that info helps everyone.

Keep watching,
Dru

[Anonymous]

UP is o.k. but it'll never be like BNSF!!! Should've stuck with the heritage 1 though.

[Anonymous]

I think you better take that up with UP's Mike Iden. Something left over from the CNW days.

[Anonymous]

I've seen the C&NW inspired lightning stripe on a GE Dash 8 or 9 running on the Cal-P line in the Bay Area. Unfortunately, I just got a very brief look as I wasn't out railfanning and wasn't at trackside,nor did I have a camera handy....one of Murphy's Laws of Railfanning

[Anonymous]

That's what it sounds like to me. The CNW "Z"
stripe was specifacilly designed for the "BIG"
GE's. Nothing prettier than CNW yellow w/reflective
green "Z" stripes. UP would do well to keep it.

[Anonymous]

The lightning stripes are also on some AC4400's, AC6000's and I think even a few Dash 9's and SD90's

[CShaveRR]

Well, not exactly...the gray area makes a zigzag behind the cab, becoming smaller toward the rear of the unit. My personal feeling is that it should have gone the other way, giving it more gray on the long hood (or less on the cab...take your pick). It was designed by the same guy who was responsible for the nice-looking CNW paint job, but somehow it doesn't work as well.
We have four SD38-2s at Proviso, three of which have the winds and zigzag...no two are painted exactly alike!

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that that is EXACTLY what it is.
Matt

[Anonymous]

I haven't seen these yet, but from the description above, I wonder if they might be a variation of the last C&NW paint scheme prior to the merger? Ron H.

[BRAKIE]

Alex:Thank you for the information.I will keep a
eye out for them.

[Anonymous]

the lightning stripes run along the roof of the loco. it has the little zig just behind the cab on the long hood. i think they are only on the SD70M's and their DD40 so far. i dont think they look so bad, but you dont really notice them. i do love the wings and i am glad they brought them back..


Union Pacific "we will devour"

[BRAKIE]

Steve, When did this come about? The U.P engines
I see on the NS doesn't have them.Yes the wings
are cool.Kind of puts me in mind of the old F- units.Are these lighting stripes any thing like
the old NYC?

[Anonymous]

THOSE LIGHTNING STRIPES ON THE UNION PACIFIC WIDE NOSE DIESELS STINK!!!!! They look totally un-UP-like and should be gotten rid of. I sure hope they do not put that crap on every diesel in the fleet. The wings rule, though. Long live Union Pacific. Down with the lightning stripes.