NS Primers

[Jordan6]

On Railpictures.com I have always noticed that some NS (Norfolk Southern) locomotives run "naked" in there primer colors. Why is this? Wouldn't they just stay at the factory for a paint job instead of streaking all over the country?

[Anonymous]

Two posibilitys

1. GE doesn't have enough time to paint every engine

2. Its cheaper painting it at Altoona than GE.

I like the primers because they give me a break from black and white, most NS engines were delivered like this but the C40-9W's are the most well known runnning in this scheme.

[Jordan6]

Thanks
I was just curious because NS units are the only ones that I've seen like that. Interesting.

[cpbloom]

I think in another post someone said that the locos were needed and eventually they would travel to a facility where they would be painted.

[Anonymous]

I think the primer grey units look cool in a way

[Train Guy 3]

Hey if NS just runs primer we save money. Besides everyone is always saying how they hate the and white.... well there they go.

[Anonymous]

NS is cheap. End of story.

LC

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jordan6

On Railpictures.com I have always noticed that some NS (Norfolk Southern) locomotives run "naked" in there primer colors. Why is this? Wouldn't they just stay at the factory for a paint job instead of streaking all over the country?

I happened to see a Grey Ghost NS loco a few weeks ago on the BNSF line that runs into Canada here in BC...

Pretty neat to see, never seen one in person before.

They are making the rounds none-the-less.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

NS is cheap. End of story.

LC

T-H-R-I-F-T-Y!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

NS is cheap. End of story.

LC

[#ditto]

[adrianspeeder]

I got a pic of one yesterday, ill post soon

Adrianspeeder

[daveklepper]

NS has an excellent paint shop buiilt for a huge locomotive fleet (probably from PRR days), and it would wasteful not to use it. So they save money by painting some of their new locomotives instead of having painted at the builders. When power is needed it is wise of them to grab ahold of some new or overhauled power that is waiting for final paint nrather than being power short or paying for leasing locomotives owned by others. I say hats off to them and I continue to think of NS as a very well run railroad. And after the 1/2-CR merger, they didn't loose service ability as much as CSX and they never had a "meltdown" or came close.

[Anonymous]

I have herd two reasons why NS has locomotives in primer...

1. They were in need of more power and they didnt have enough time to paint them.

2. They didnt have enough money to paint them.

[adrianspeeder]

Its not the greatist quality, but you try to work a new digital cam, shift, and try to avoid big rigs.



Adrianspeeder

[Anonymous]

Here's one, more later:

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TheAntiGates

QUOTE: Originally posted by Limitedclear

NS is cheap. End of story.

LC

T-H-R-I-F-T-Y!

NO. C-H-E-A-P!!

LC

[Anonymous]

Another

[Anonymous]

Primer meets another stack train on Horseshoe last year.

[Anonymous]

Those are all the ones I have scanned, I'll scan some more if I can find them.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by adrianspeeder

Its not the greatist quality, but you try to work a new digital cam, shift, and try to avoid big rigs.



Adrianspeeder

I have a couple shots of trains going over that bridge, no primers though.

[Anonymous]

I see them all the time here in PA in Morrisville Yard. It is nice to see something different than your run of the mill NS black widecabs (although there is nothing wrong with them).

[Junctionfan]

I have seen them through Ontario on NS 328-Talbotville (St.Thomas) Ontario to Buffalo Bison Yard. They come through with Union Pacific power too somethimes. I wonder though who would win the penny-pinching award though; CN or NS?

[route_rock]

Reason for primer.They needed all the power they could get so out the door they went.Paint em later hell BNSF did the same thing with no letter pumpkins some were just base coat orange even.