Amtrak's Veterans Locomotive

[NorthWest]

Happy Fourth of July!

Amtrak has released their Veterans Locomotive, with a commitment to hiring veterans:

http://blog.amtrak.com/2013/06/were-hiring-americas-veterans/

Some more pictures:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=441328&nseq=8

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=441298&nseq=10

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=441491&nseq=38

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=441362&nseq=45

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=441359&nseq=47

Good for them for making the 25% commitment. I also like the paint scheme. (Anyone else see a Santa Fe influence?)

Your thoughts?

[Firelock76]

I didn't like it at first, but it looks a LOT better in the close-up where you can see a lot of the details.  I like it now, a LOT!  I especially like the service ribbons from World War Two to the present under the silhouetttes of the saluting service members, nice touch!

[daveklepper]

I like it better than any other P-42 or P-40 scheme on Amtrak I have seen so far!

[JuanCarlosFdez]

Good on Amtrak to honor our veterans, but I honestly think the paint job's kinda lame.  Good, bad or ugly, Amtrak certainly deserves credit for trying some innovative paint schemes throughout its existence.  This particular one, however, is just plain boring.

[NorthWest]

I like it better than the "Whale" scheme. It is time for Amtrak to go back to a linear paint scheme, imho.

NW

[snarematt]

While I definitely appreciate the message, I feel like it looks more like a 4th of July parade float than a locomotive. Instead of reminding me of the incredible sacrifice of our veterans, all of the stars and the goofy gold logo make me want to buy some cotton candy.

[Dakguy201]

I wonder how they selected the ribbons depicted.  From left to right I believe they are:  World War Two Victory Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. 

I suppose it is intended to be representative of each conflict in which living veterans might have participated.

[Firelock76]

A salute to the living veterans?  I'm sure that's just what it's supposed to be.  The last World War One vet left us several years ago.  The only people who would appreciate references to earlier wars would be the military history buffs like myself, Amtrak doesn't have to make us happy.  That's OK with me, I like the locomotive just as it is. 

[Anonymous]

i love it. honorbly discharged FT Lenard wood mo, 5-5-1976