UP's "Building America" Paint Scheme

[n2mopac]

Those who read "Trains" no doubt saw the recent article on UP's new employee-initiated patriotic paint scheme with the huge waving American flag. I saw a brand new, shining C44-9W with this scheme for the first time (live) this morning. I had been looking for one of these locomotives since I read the article, but I was still surprised by the beauty of that huge flag. It was inspiring, and it made me proud to be an American, and also to be a rail fan.
Ron

[Anonymous]

I like to see it read RAILROADS BUILT AMERICA.I saw a show on truckin and one man had a restored mack he said this truck built AMERICA.

[Anonymous]

I've seen several locomotives with the new paint scheme in the Kansas City area, a huge UP hub. I think it is fantastic that UP stepped up and is showing their American spirit. It shows that even it's a gesture, they are proud to be an All-American company. Hopefully more are on the way!

[Anonymous]

I work for UP and before you get too many warm fuzzies, click on the link:

http://www.upsasu.org/flag.htm

[eolafan]

Now before I try and articulate my response, let me first say I feel the labor unions initially helped American workers get a fair shake in the early days of the labor movement, but having said that, I looked at the web site Dale suggested and what I read was a union crying that they lost jobs. Well, in general, unions in the US are saying "I won't negotiate my cushy, pretty high paying hourly job situation" and then they cry when the manufacturers can't afford their high labor rates and can't remain competitive, and then send the jobs to Mexico or overseas. Boo-hoo-hoo! We in America must remain competitive or we lose business to other countries, and yes, jobs too. Wow, felt good to get that off of my chest.

[Anonymous]

You, sir, obviously do not work for a railroad. My guess you area manager type?

[eolafan]

You, sir, are partially correct as well as partially incorrect. I do not work for a railroad, but am a great proponent of railroads and the industry and want to see it remain competitive against other types of transportation, i.e. trucking. I am not a company management type as you speculated (funny how you might have come to that conclusion, though). I am, however, an average American who is tired of seeing my wages go "up in smoke" due to spiraling inflation, fueled in part by union wage and contract demands that only cause manufacturers prices to go up OR force them (as in the case you brought up) to go out of country for their manufacturering, which also hurts America (I will agree with you on that one too). It would be interesting if we could poll "average" America to see which percentage of our population agrees with each of us...I would guess the poll would be split on the Union member vs. consumer lines. Food for thought. P.S. I still honor your right to your opinion and would never, ever challenge your right to have one and voice it publicly.

[thirdrail1]

I am a retired railroad manager and I am getting tired of the union railroad employees on this forum name calling and running down anyone who disagrees with their position. This is a forum for those interested in railroads, not a collective bargaining session!!!

[Anonymous]

First, I apologize for my curt reply. I have worked for the railroad for 25 years, first the SP and now the UP. It was just real ironic to me that the flag units are built in Mexico by a Canadian company. I have witnessed the railroad's (UP's) operations for 5 years now and just get sick sometimes of their attitude towards there greatest asset, their employees. If you have not been there before, here is a link to SnakeBites, a very good newsletter that most rails read: http://www.snakebites.org/ Just click on 'current issue'. I know about the reverser story, because it happened in SA.

Have a good day, sir.

[eolafan]

First to Dale, thanks for the response and NO PROBLEM. Now to Gregg, I agree with you sir. Now, as a clarification to Dale, I work for a large Wisconsin based company which employs about 3,000 people and does about $750 million in sales annually. The various unions have tried for decades to form a union shop here but have always been unsuccessful, simply because OUR managment cares for the employees and creates an environment that makes the unions not needed. I wish more companies acted in this manner, thus solving many of our labor problems before they start.

[eolafan]

HEY, JUST AS A CLOSING NOTE, ISN'T IT GREAT THAT WE LIVE IN A COUNTRY WHERE WE CAN ALL EXPRESS THESE OPINIONS WITHOUT FEAR OF RETRIBUTION FROM GOVERNMENT, ETC. GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.!

[Anonymous]

Amen, brother, amen. To me the very incarnation of this country is the INTERNET, a medium that allows anyone to access most anything. I am off to play with the real thing, down in San Antonio. eloafan, have a good day. I sir, laud youe attitude and open mindness.

[n2mopac]

One can never predicet where one of these forum strands will lead. I never dreamed that my moment of inspiration shared here would lead to a labor union/trade dispute. Only in America!!!
Ron

[Anonymous]

How interesting. From a flag decal to unions, to union bashing, to Mexican-Canadian locomotives, to lovey kissy. Got to love it.