From a railfan point of view, does anyone else find shortline systems such as RJ Corman and G&W that use the same paint scheme on all their properties boring? Unless you see the sublettering, it's all the same railroad. I much prefer the independent regionals like the R&N, W&LE and LSRC.
Just glad the specific routs are in busuness and serving customers.
With good maintenace and relatively clean power.
I have to agree with Dave.
One reason the larger holding companies try to have clean locomotives in their standard paint scheme is because they are much more in "retail railroading" than the Class I railroads. They make their living scrapping for carloads. Their locomotives are rolling billboards in the smaller towns they serve, with many of those smaller towns still having their downtowns along or near the tracks.
Genesee & Wyoming with their orange car body, yellow frame and black stripe, all in pristine condition, puts their best foot forward to their prospective customers.
Likewise Watco with their black carbody and yellow nose.
While it is true that paint does not pull freight, locomotives in good condition send a message that the company is prospering and runs a tight ship, all of which are positives when their retail forces approach businesses along the line to talk to them about reactivating a siding and such.
Railroads like Iowa Northern, Reading & Northern, and Iowa Interstate, while not being part of a larger corporate entity, also work hard to put their best foot forward with their "rolling billboard" locomotives.
kgbw49Railroads like Iowa Northernn, Reading & Northern, and Iowa Interstate, while not being part of a larger corporate entity, also work hard to put their best foot forward with their "rolling billboard" locomotives.
I would also argue that some of those railroads have a more railfan-minded sort of ownership. Nothing wrong with that - I wish my coat wasn't so dirty from walking around my engines.
It's been fun. But it isn't much fun anymore. Signing off for now.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any
Just so Watco doesn't mess with the Horicon Goose (WSOR).
I'm just thankful that they are all not armour yellow and gray.
I like GVT's corporate paint scheme. At this point, I think they've repainted all of the BCR ALCOs out of their green scheme. It's taken a while.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
zugmannI would also argue that some of those railroads have a more railfan-minded sort of ownership. Nothing wrong with that
OvermodIn the case of Genesee and Wyoming, it's more a Princeton-minded sort of ownership. And I don't mind it.
Years ago, they ran our engines through the bath every time they went for their MI. Doesn't happen anymore.
zugmann Overmod In the case of Genesee and Wyoming, it's more a Princeton-minded sort of ownership. And I don't mind it. Years ago, they ran our engines through the bath every time they went for their MI. Doesn't happen anymore.
Overmod In the case of Genesee and Wyoming, it's more a Princeton-minded sort of ownership. And I don't mind it.
G&W does mechanical inspections for NS?
Edit: I suddenly realized that "they" is NS.
Still in training.
Still have vivid memories of Colorado & Wyoming engines (CF&I) wiped down daily with kerosene rags by their crews. (not the roundhouse crew)....spotless to the outside observer.
WATCO has plenty of non-standard stuff as does Pioneer ... and then there is the anything goes OmniTrax bunch that had as many paint schemes as management teams with a liberal sprinkling of various flavors of lease power. (The CKR water color paint on old ATSF geeps took the cake for shabby, with the ol blue and yellow freight-bonnets slowly re-emerging over time.)
Backshop From a railfan point of view, does anyone else find shortline systems such as RJ Corman and G&W that use the same paint scheme on all their properties boring? Unless you see the sublettering, it's all the same railroad. I much prefer the independent regionals like the R&N, W&LE and LSRC.
Coming from a fellow Michigander, I do miss when Huron & Eastern was independent. Their Pere Marquette inspired paint scheme was sharp. Paying homage to the heritage of the thumb lines..
If G&W is concerned about out their locomotives look then someone from corporate needs to talk to SJVR.
"No soup for you!" - Yev Kassem (from Seinfeld)
Growing up, I remember that a few small trash companies kept their clean trucks. The bigger outfits almost always had dirty trucks. Now it's rare to see any trucks (large company or small) that aren't spotless. It makes sense - trying to get contracts for upper-level subdivisions (many with HOAs) you want to come off as clean and professional. Hard to do that in a stanky and filthy trash truck.
Since both G&W and Watco shuffle power as needed among their various short lines and regionals, it only makes sense to maintain a common corporate livery. The lack of variety may not be every enthusiast's cup of tea, but it sure beats an abandoned right of way.
G&W took over operations of the Guelph Junction Railway last summer, replacing the Ontario Southland's vintage MLWs with more modern EMDs. Just the same though, I find G&W far from boring as they're a loose car operation with lots of switching action in and around town. I also like the Princeton colors, and G&W somehow manages to keep their locomotives clean looking as well.
There is variation on the logos of the G&W shortlines, a symbol of the region the shortline serves (A cactus for the A&C, a seagull for the SD&IV, a beehive for the Utah Ry..etc.) used in the center of the circle/twin arrows logo.
And they own rail operator Freightliner in the UK-whose locos are being repainted in G&W orange and black trim with a modified G&W logo.
G&W's St. Lawrence and Atlantic's power usually looks good. And I like the paint scheme. No complaints from me.
Once CSX completes its takeover of Pan Am, I'm wondering how long it will take to morph to only CSX blue and yellow. Probably a long while.
A lot of Pan Am power looks like $#!t.
Lithonia OperatorG&W's St. Lawrence and Atlantic's power usually looks good. And I like the paint scheme. No complaints from me. Once CSX completes its takeover of Pan Am, I'm wondering how long it will take to morph to only CSX blue and yellow. Probably a long while. A lot of Pan Am power looks like $#!t.
I doubt CSX will go out of their way to repaint Pan Am power - more likely they will scrap it and the runs replaced with existing and/or newly acquired CSX power.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
zugmann Overmod In the case of Genesee and Wyoming, it's more a Princeton-minded sort of ownership. And I don't mind it. Growing up, I remember that a few small trash companies kept their clean trucks. The bigger outfits almost always had dirty trucks. Now it's rare to see any trucks (large company or small) that aren't spotless. It makes sense - trying to get contracts for upper-level subdivisions (many with HOAs) you want to come off as clean and professional. Hard to do that in a stanky and filthy trash truck.
Zugman the reason why most fleets keep their trucks clean if very simple. It makes it very easy to see any major problems such as an oil leak exhaust leak wheel seal leaking something that would make the DOT go OOS for that truck. We have our own washrack we redid the old tanker bay into a washrack for our fleet. Every truck and trailer gets a full wash the minute it hits the yard to allow easier checking for problems. It makes a huge difference in keeping problems spotted and fixed.
azrail There is variation on the logos of the G&W shortlines, a symbol of the region the shortline serves (A cactus for the A&C, a seagull for the SD&IV, a beehive for the Utah Ry..etc.) used in the center of the circle/twin arrows logo.
Heart of Georgia has a, well, hog.
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