See the latest UP Heritage locomotive...

[dgwinup]

Maybe I came on too strong. I am not bashing the UP. It is one of my favorite railroads. I grew up with huge UP publicity photos on my walls thanks to my Dad's business with the railroads (expecially UP).
I don't know the cost of re-painting a locomotive. Big Boy 4005 estimates $10,000 and I can't dispute that. And he's also right that these re-paints are just a way of protecting the name.
Are these paint jobs nice? You bet! I wish ALL railroads would do the same. Are they doing this to be 'nice'? No way, Jose! They are doing it for the money, plain and simple.
I don't have a problem with them doing it for the money if they would be honest about it. Don't tell me this is a kind-hearted gesture from an old friendly railroad. It's the money.
So how do I really feel about this? Really sad. A great railroad is wallowing in the mud of greed and trying to cover it up with altruistic pronouncements. Come on, be honest. We get enough spin doctoring from our government and the news media.
I still think UP would have been better off going about this differently (see my previous post). Do it because it is a good thing to do, the right thing to do and the public relations thing to do. Do it for the kids! But don't do it just so you can squeeze more money from someone.
That's enough from me.
Darrell, back to being quiet......for now

Quote: "If you always tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." Ben Franklin

[grayfox1119]

That is one sweet locomotive!!!!! Now I ask you , what do people do who are modeling another era, ie 1950, or eastern RR's?? I'll tell you what I would do, I would buy it. It is "my" RR, and I can do what I want...SO THERE !!!!

[okiechoochoo]

Amen Grayfox,
I model the transition era and back then Katy was all red. I love this new unit. In fact I like them all but this one is my favorite. I don't model any of the roads nor the UP but I think I will buy models of all the hertiage schemes just to sit on the wall

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: I don't have a problem with them doing it for the money if they would be honest about it. Don't tell me this is a kind-hearted gesture from an old friendly railroad. It's the money.

Actually if you read the trains.com article that accompanies the photos, you will read that UP's PR guy does talk about protecting their copyrights and licensing fees. It did seem pretty straightforward to me. I guess I understand their policy even though I'm not in total agreement with it.

[espeefoamer]

At least they're honest about why they are doing the Heritage paint jobs.That's one point in thier favor.
[8)][}:)][:(!][xx(][:o)][}:)][:(!][xx(][:o)][}:)][:(!][xx(][:o)][}:)][:(!][xx(][:o)][}:)][:(!][xx(][:o)][}:)][:(!][xx(]

[Gluefinger]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BNSF railfan.

BNSF does charge extra for their Logo, You just don't know it.
Allan.

I read from BNSF themselves that they require licensing, but not for a fee. They don't go after people unless they use the logo without permission.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by loathar

I wonder if they'll want $10 dollars extra for the model of it.

If the model company produces less than 20% UP to get a charge of $10 the model would probably cost over $670 dollars, so no UP doesn't charge $10 bucks for the scheme. If the model company produces 20% or more UP equipment, you would probably have to pay $4,000 or more, for UP to make a measly $10.

To other people I think that it would probably take years of licensing charges to pay for the buying and painting of the loco, if UP keeps these cleaner as they might try it will cost more for these locos in the long run. I don't know, since at 14 I haven't gotten a job on UP's public relations team, but it might be for protecting the logos from model companies putting out phony schemes, or low quality models. Of course UP can change the paint scheme.[:D]

Where are the BNSF basher, why isn't BNSF greedy and evil? Talk about screwing around with paint schemes and calling them heritage.
James[C):-)]

[grandeman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

It's a very pretty engine, but it is being used to justify a very ugly practice. Does anyone honestly think that UP would do this if there wasn't money in it?

Most corporations are only about one thing, making a profit. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. They employ our people and fuel our economy. They are not something evil.

UP is no different. If there were no profits, there would be no trains, jobs or service to the customers.

The Heritage locos are an advertising move but also a great salute to our railroading history from one of America's premiere roads. I applaud UP for making them a reality. My only question is..... Where's the Grande????

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by grande man

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

It's a very pretty engine, but it is being used to justify a very ugly practice. Does anyone honestly think that UP would do this if there wasn't money in it?

Most corporations are only about one thing, making a profit. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. They employ our people and fuel our economy. They are not something evil.

UP is no different. If there were no profits, there would be no trains, jobs or service to the customers.

The Heritage locos are an advertising move but also a great salute to our railroading history from one of America's premiere roads. I applaud UP for making them a reality. My only question is..... Where's the Grande????

I won't argue the fact that businesses are motivated by profit. I don't have a problem with it, up to a point. When it becomes excessive or abusive, I balk and complain.

Railfans are not railroad's customers. Shippers are railroad's customers. Some railfans take exception to this concept of suddenly being charged for something that was always free in the past.

I will not buy any licensed products from hobby stores, which for me is really not much of a sacrifice, since I haven't bought any new trains in 3 years, and don't have the money to do so anyway. It is a matter of principle.

UP has the right to charge, but is it right?

[dgwinup]

"UP has the right to charge, but is it right?"

Amen to Big Boy 4005!

Darrell, not being quiet enough....for now

[grandeman]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

UP has the right to charge, but is it right?

If it's their logos and it's legal, how can it be wrong? Do the MR consumers like it? That's the only question and the heart of the matter. Now, I'd rather not pay higher prices either, but I'm not going to demonize one of our finest RR's because of this. Just my 02. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dgwinup

"UP has the right to charge, but is it right?"

Amen to Big Boy 4005!

Darrell, not being quiet enough....for now

Where does it become wrong? Do you realize that if all the stolen licensing illegally copied products by other countries, we wouldn't run a trade deficit? Maybe Microsoft and these people being stolen from don't have any right to charge in the first place? Should any company be able to protect their name? With out licensing, I could use the Katy logo as Katy railroad and might even fool people.
James[C):-)]

[dinwitty]

bring back shteeeam...8-P