Disappearing Rails

[Maglev]

Amtrak's old logo was known as "the pointless arrow."

 And what do we have now?  A perspective view of two rails cimbing an impossibly steep grade and vanishing over the horizon...

"Disappearing rails!"

[oltmannd]

To me, it looks like sheets flapping in the wind.  I've heard others call it the "three sheets to the wind" logo.

Conrail's was called "broken wheels on rails to nowhere" or a "can opener".  That's almost as good.

[4merroad4man]

oltmannd

To me, it looks like sheets flapping in the wind.  I've heard others call it the "three sheets to the wind" logo.

Conrail's was called "broken wheels on rails to nowhere" or a "can opener".  That's almost as good.

Wags on the West Coast had a more derogatory term for it......

[al-in-chgo]

Whatever the new logo is called, I sure like it a lot better than Broken Arrow!  -  a.s.

 

[Deggesty]

Maglev

Amtrak's old logo was known as "the pointless arrow."

 And what do we have now?  A perspective view of two rails cimbing an impossibly steep grade and vanishing over the horizon...

"Disappearing rails!"

So that's what it is supposed to be! I had no idea--and I still have to think hard when I look at it to see it as two rails. It does look more like sheets flapping in a strong breeze than anything else. The CN's "wet noodle" made much more sense.

[Phoebe Vet]

I suggest that Sam Bass be hired to design an entirely new paint scheme and logo for Amtrak.

For those unfamiliar with him, Mr. Bass designs a great many of the NASCAR sponsor paint schemes on the cars.

[gardendance]

I do know of one infant who looked at a CP logo and said "Pacman"

[Maglev]

I think I remember reading in TRAINS that Conrail was "the snail" and Penn Central was "the worm."  Of course, a couple moths ago was the editorial asking BNSF and CSX to "Please buy a vowel..."

 Maybe in the future, we WILL see government support of our rail infrastructure and open access (like the Interstate Highway system)... with passenger train operators displaying proud names like "United," "American," or even "Pan Am!" 

 

[4merroad4man]

I suggest that Sam Bass be hired to design an entirely new paint scheme and logo for Amtrak

 

Sam Bass??  I thought he was shot and killed in Round Rock, TX back in the 1880's or so...........

 

[dejoh]

I can only imagine the cost of painting-lettering an Amtrak loco in the Nascar sceme, but it would be an eye opener and would show very good colors.  Also very good public relations.

[Maglev]

dejoh

I can only imagine the cost of painting-lettering an Amtrak loco in the Nascar sceme, but it would be an eye opener and would show very good colors.  Also very good public relations.

This brings up an interesting point... businesses have paid to redecorate locomotives and trains for advertising.  It is well known that retail can be a major source of funding for transit.  If we wanted Amtrak to project a positive image, I am sure the economics would work out somehow.

Oh well, at least in 1971 they didn't choose to call it "Railpax."  One change that would have very little cost is a return to names for trains on the NEC.  

[Phoebe Vet]

I wasn't suggesting a particular paint scheme.  I was just showing you what kind of designs he has done.

Logos and stripes (or stars) are usually decals anyway.

Bright colors and regular washing goes a long way toward making the fleet look less rag tag.  Amtrak trains always look so dirty on the outside.

NCDOT always keeps the Piedmont engines and cars clean.

 

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Phoebe Vet

I wasn't suggesting a particular paint scheme.  I was just showing you what kind of designs he has done.

Logos and stripes (or stars) are usually decals anyway.

Bright colors and regular washing goes a long way toward making the fleet look less rag tag.  Amtrak trains always look so dirty on the outside.

NCDOT always keeps the Piedmont engines and cars clean.

With all due respects, NCDOT has a small fleet on a one-route "system".

[Phoebe Vet]

It's true about it being easier to keep a small fleet clean, but that does not alter the fact that when your passengers see a dirty train, it looks rag tag and poorly maintained to them.

[gardendance]

Maglev

Penn Central was "the worm."

it was 2 worms, and they were intertwined. I heard much talk about what one would expect 2 worms or snakes to be doing in that position.

[The Butler]

 

Phoebe Vet

It's true about it being easier to keep a small fleet clean, but that does not alter the fact that when your passengers see a dirty train, it looks rag tag and poorly maintained to them.

I can not agree more.  From August of 2007 through May of '08, I dropped off and picked up a guy I knew at the Amtrak box (station) in St. Louis.  He was riding the Lincoln Service to and from Chicago.  More than once I heard someone comment on how dirty the train looked.  The freight locos in the yard usually looked in better shape.  You only get one chance to make a first impression.

[aegrotatio]

I always thought the logo was railroad ties.

 

[Maglev]

"I always thought the logo was railroad ties."

If so, the ties are warped and the rails are completely gone!

I just discovered that the current Amtrak logo is very similar to Transrapid's magnetic levitation logo (see: http://www.transrapid.de/cgi-tdb/en/basics.prg).  But in this case, the design fairly clearly depicts the front of a fast-moving train.

I commented in another thread about the American flag on passenger locomotives.  I think there is a small flag on Amtrak locomotives.  But as far as I know, the only large flag on a passenger locomotive is on the abandoned "Acela" turbine locomotive at the Transportation Technology Center Inc. in Pueblo, Colorado ( Trains, January, 2009; p.70).