Kinda partial to Ford blue myself. You did say engine, right?
I personally think the neatest paint job is the NYC inspired Catskill Mountain Railway scheme. It sports some bold contrasts in color, and an appealing sense of balence. When ou see it in black and white, it really does look like it's from 50 years ago, working the Catskill Mountain Branch of the NYC. See http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=2008122021335832214.jpg&order=byrail&page=22&key=Catskill%20Mountain%20RR for the photo.
Hey, welcome Catskill. I am very familiar with the CSMRR, can't wait to see how far they are open. Hope to get up that way soon.
espeefoamer 1. Santa Fe warbonnet.These,unfortunately are getteng badly weathered. 2.KCS Retro Belle. 3.Wisconsin & Northern. 4.Iowa Interstate 5.South Shore. 6. NS.
1. Santa Fe warbonnet.These,unfortunately are getteng badly weathered.
2.KCS Retro Belle.
3.Wisconsin & Northern.
4.Iowa Interstate
5.South Shore.
6. NS.
I can't believe it. The most famous, most remembered and most modeled engines in America because they're the most beautiful, the Santa Fe Warbonnet. And from what I could tell, only ESPEEFOAMER even mentioned it.
It's interesting to see different tastes. Some like the brighter colors and others like it simple such as the NS scheme. I didn't see that coming.
I mentioned the KCS paint scheme as that's what I occassionally see here but there are some nice others out there now too which is good to see. I was afraid that the days of colorful paint jobs was gone. Admittedly there aren't as many railroads as there once were though. I like the Iowa Interstate scheme. The new bright red paint on the Austin Western Railroad in central Texas looks pretty good too. Sometimes simple is nice I guess.
If I had to pick my overall favorite ever, I'm not real sure what it would be as I don't have just one favorite. The Sante Fe warbonnet is definitely high on the list. As strange as it may sound, I'm very partial to the Burlington Northern green and black paint. Specifically as applied to an SD-40-2. It may not seem spectacular compared to many others, but it does bring back my strongest railroad memories from when I was a kid which was when my grandpa would take me to watch trains in Iowa. Somehow all of my fondest memories in some way or another involve him and when it comes to trains (real ones), that would be it.
I believe the best is Great Western Railway (Omnitrax).
Old schemes are Delaware Lackawanna & Western/Erie Lackawanna which ties in with todays Delaware Lackawanna and Algoma Central Railway. The old green and gold of Canadian National, blue/grey and yellow of Delaware & Hudson and the old maroon and grey of Canadian Pacific Railway. Regards.
I'd echo the red/silver Warbonnet, but I really liked the Blue/yellow freight scheme the best (must have a little Swedish in me.)
As for the opposite end of the spectrum, been riding the Florida Tri-Rail lately, Miami to West Palm (2 hours to go 60 miles!). Talk about an ugly, "tropical looking" paint job!
Covered with endless soot and the cab windows tinted so dark it looks like a gang banger mobile. Staff is sullen and appear to be welfare rejects mostly. The engineers look like trash...sorry, but it's true.
Overall the tri-rail seems like a dying venture, having just lost their bid for a funding boost. So much for all you guys who thought Barry O' was gonna save the passenger railroads. Current fares cover only 25% of cost, to entice people out of their cars...oh socialism! Fails wherever it is tried.
What about the SP? Each loco had a unique blend of soot, grime, rust, strategically placed to make the legacy live on in model railroading. But when they were new or out the paint shop, the colours were certainly recognisable and destinctive.
The waqronnet blue and yellow is also a great scheme and compliments the red and silver warbonnet very well. I wonder if BNSF will do ANYTHING to celebrate Santa Fe's 150th birthday? It would be great to see them have some new red and silver units to honor ATSF, or even better if they drop the present "image" in favor of it.
I like the UP ones with the American flag on the side and also Amtrak, of course. Some of the BNSF are OK too.
Actually, I want to take back my second post, because I just discovered today that my first one was still current. Phase III on an Amtrak F40PH. I caught Cabbage NPCU #90222 in Phase III on Lincoln Service train #302 this morning. Stupid thing won't let me embed the vid, though...
A couple of the Amtrak F40PHs carried the current Surfliner scheme shortly before retirement.
1. BNSF Heritage I. I love the orange and green. BNSF got it right the first time. I hate Heritage II. Impartial to the Wedge.
2. Norfolk Southern. Simplicity is bliss.
3. Duluth, Missable, & Iron Range. Nice color scheme and the fact there is an actual object on it is great.
The rights of neutrality will only be respected, when they are defended by an adequate power. A nation, despicable by its weakness, forfeits even the privilege of being neutral. -Alexander Hamilton
Good choices! How about your RR namesake, the Indiana RR? Not a bad scheme at all! I agree 100% that the H2 and the Budget-Rent-a-Car look-alike wedgie logo really suck big time. BNSF has to get rid of this grotesque "image" and get a new one. (How about a return of an old and very loved familiar image? MMMMM) If only Buffett and some others in high places that have the ear of Matt Rose would voice this to him.
I always liked the Delaware and Hudson paint, but, alas, they have gone to the falled flags graveyard.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Better yet...who has the worst paint jobs. My list:
1. BNSF Heritage II. Nothing to say other than "just terrible...terrible."
2. CSX. Be a little more bland please.
3. Southern Pacific. Hey, no one said they had to be active railroads right? Just such an eye sore. Grey? Really the best they could come up with?
CONRAIL
Off the top of my head, I'd say my favorite paint scheme on a railroad currently is BNSF Heritage III, it's so bright with the orange (which happens to be my favorite color), yellow, and black. I like Heritages I and II as well, but III is my favorite. Of course, I'm kind of biased since I'm around BNSF most of the time. Second on my list, hmmm...maybe Norfolk Southern? Simple enough, but pretty sharp I think, especially with their current "horsehead" logo on the sides and the white strip on the top of the cab front. And, of COURSE KCS's new "taco bell" scheme is one of my favorites, too. CSX's "dark future" or YN3 or whatever they call it, with the dark blue with gold lettering is impressive as well. And, I have to say, Amtrak's Phase V P42's look incredible when they're freshly painted and have the new "snowscoop" headlight surround.
There are others that are my favorites, but those just came to mind...
THE LAST NEW CNW ENGINS.
AND THE BEST LOOKING GE'S
OH YES 2 ARE STILL IN SERVICE
CONRAD
SP worst? Step outside in the alley and say that again! A clean SP unit with speed lettering acually looked pretty good. The truly ugly units were the ones with no lettering on the sides,only dark gray dirt and grime. Those were pretty sad.
espeefoamer SP worst? Step outside in the alley and say that again! A clean SP unit with speed lettering acually looked pretty good. The truly ugly units were the ones with no lettering on the sides,only dark gray dirt and grime. Those were pretty sad.
I agree wholeheartedtly!
The best looking locomotive is an SP GP60 in new speed letter paint!
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