Washington Redskins Locomotive

[rjemery]

At one point in the distant past (1997), an EMD GP30 locomotive owned by Western Maryland Scenic RR was painted in the colors of the Washington Redskins NFL team.  I'm interested in learning about the motivation for this livery, how long the livery lasted, in what service the locomotive was used, etc.  Repainting a locomotive is not cheap!

[Savage Tunnel]

GP-30 #502 (X-CR#2175, orig. RDG#5507) was painted in the Redskins livery in conjunction with the use of Frostburg State University sports facilities for summer training camp. This was from 1995-1999, and was arranged by a local politician who was trying to bring people to the area to stimulate the local economy. This failed, since many fans from the D.C. Metro area did not want to drive to Frostburg, up to 3 hours away at the time. Also they failed to realize that 50% of the football fans in this area of Western Maryland are Pittsburgh Steeler fans. The Redskins scheme was changed to the Baltimore Ravens black/purple in 2000, they won the Super Bowl that year. After several years, the Ravens logos came off and the locomotive # was changed to 502 from 2175. The loco finally got WM paint/lettering in 2008. Sister engine #501 wore Baltimore Oriole logos and was repainted in 2000 to WM black with speedlettering. #502/2175 has always been the 3rd locomotive out of the shop, used mainly for push-pull service with#501, or helper service with #501 assisting 2-8-0 #734 when necessary.

[Firelock76]

Not sure, but I heard when they got rid of the Redskins paint job on that GP30 it started running stronger and passing harder.

[kgbw49]

And the extra point is good!

Firelock76 7, Redskins 0.

[rjemery]

Thank you for the detailed back story.

[rjemery]

Savage Tunnel,

A follow up question:  What is speed lettering?  From Google Images, it just appears to be the road name in italics slanting away from the forward direction of the locomotive.  Is that it, or is there more to it?

 

[kgbw49]

502 in pusher service...looks like speed lettering is Italics from left to right, not direction of the locomotive

502 in Baltimore Ravens paint...

502 as 2175 in Washington Redskins colors...

[Savage Tunnel]

The WM Speedlettering scheme  developed in 1953 by WM President Arthur Grotz's brother was actually designed for the RR's fleet of EMD F-units, the new scheme was first tried on 2 F-3's rebuilt to F-7 capabilities in early 1954.
The italicized lettering on the loco's sides suggest forward motion, the 'WM' on the front with 4 horizontal stripes on each side represented stylized wings.

This lettering/logo combo represented speed.

The speedlettering scheme with the roads traditional black/gold-yellow paint fit in well with the road's nickname "The Fast Freight Line".
The diesel fleet acquired prior to mid-1954 were all repainted within 10 years, all types of WM equipment received this lettering and logo.

The speedlettering was still used after the color scheme change in 1969.