I understand that for many railfans, railway enthusiasts and those interested in trains and rail transport in general, having railways tribute former roads that merged or trackage systems where taken over by said road are a popular thing. Its neat to see former roads of the past with their past liverys and even improved liverys on model diesel locomotive bodies. Norfolk Southern has the most standing in at 20. My favourite is the PRR Tuscan Red and Southern white and green ones. However there seems to be questions or gripes as to why some major railways such as BNSF, CSX and Canadian National (cant think of any other major railways) dont consider doing their own heriage unit programs by painting locomotives in their roaster in heritage schemes to make new ones, other then locos that are unpainted on their systems. However does it seem selfish to want railways to undertake such massive repaint projects? I mean their main concern is moving their freight manifests, keeping on time, maintaining their trackage and infanstructure, earning their pay etc. This is all going to take alot of revanue to do and to pay off. Also is it worth it to stop the railfans from complaing as to why they havent done heritage units like other railroads.I mean they do have to put up and deal with the shenanigans that railfans and foamers get themelves into. Also what benifits would heriage units bring to these railways? I do hope in a sense, as CPR had some SD70ACus, which where rebuilt from SD70ACes painted in the former Maroon, grey with yellow lining livery whiched I liked, so prehaps other roads will follow in time.I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions as this has been o my mind.
I don't think it's selfish for railfans to want to see "Heritage" units, we all have our favorites that eventually became part of todays "Big Seven" and would like to see them memorialized in some way.
However, it's foolish and childish to whine and pout when railroads DON'T choose to do any heritage units. We have to remember railroads are in the business of moving stuff from Point A to Point B in the most efficient and profitable manner possible. They're not in the railfan entertainment business.
Although it would be nice if they threw the best friends they've got a bone or two every once in a while, know what I mean?
Not at all selfish if you offer to cover the entire cost (plus some profit) of printing the engine in your choice of colors. Put your money where your mouth is and demonstrate your unselfish nature.
Semper Vaporo
Pkgs.
BNSF all ready have many heritage units. They have ex ATSF units in freight bonnet blue and yellow and BN Grinstone green and black, some with the white or tiger orange face cabs.
caldreamer BNSF all ready have many heritage units. They have ex ATSF units in freight bonnet blue and yellow and BN Grinstone green and black, some with the white or tiger orange face cabs.
I would opine that a lot would depend on the additional cost of painting such a unit over "normal."
Units get overhauled and repainted all the time. If the time and material to paint a loco in a "heritage" scheme is not significantly more that the regular paint, why not? As has been said, we're their biggest fans and appreciate their throwing us a bone occasionally.
If the cost is significantly higher, a forward thinking railroad might solicit the help of a fan group for a given railroad to help cover the additional cost.
Personally, I prefer the "as built" heritage schemes over UP's concept.
And here's an off the wall idea - painting a unit to match a well-known model railroad. The Gorre & Daphetid was all steam, but imagine...
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...
It was mentioned before that trademark protection may also be a factor.
tree68 And here's an off the wall idea - painting a unit to match a well-known model railroad. The Gorre & Daphetid was all steam, but imagine...
If railroads did heritage units, it would likely mean they'd have to wash them. And washing engines is not done anymore, so that's a reason.
10000 feet and no dynamics? Today is going to be a good day ...
Which is why BNSF has a bunch of covered hoppers using the predecessor railroad logos.
tree68 Personally, I prefer the "as built" heritage schemes over UP's concept.
I hope UP repaints their HU's back into armour yellow soon. Obnoxious ugly schemes to me and a waste of paint. Speaking of UP.. As lovely as our flag is. UP should go back to spelling out Union Pacific on the long hood. Get rid of the CNW style zig zag on the gray border, drop the wings on the nose, and keep the large shield..
SD60MAC9500 tree68 I hope UP repaints their HU's back into armour yellow soon. Obnoxious ugly schemes to me and a waste of paint.
tree68
I hope UP repaints their HU's back into armour yellow soon. Obnoxious ugly schemes to me and a waste of paint.
Why waste even more paint? PSR doesn't seem to allow washing stuff - much less painting stuff.
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
Taken on the grand scale of politics and other human events, I would hardly describe fascination or interest in heritage locomotive paint jobs as selfish. Rather a benign interest, actually. >
Arguably there is a PR value or trademark infringement consideration (noted before) to NS and UP's activities in this regard. And sure, it would be nice to see a Frisco coonskin color scheme, the NP passenger colors revived, B&O & etc. I guess one should just be content units are not all painted battleship gray.>
I second the comment that UP's interpretation of heritage schemes is less favorable than NS's (hard to beat the Reading Lines), but they are still a nice variation and incorporate a number of insignia to good advantage. Some of the recent specialty topic schemes seem ostentatious and annoying, IMO.
I think UP's restoration of the Big Boy for the railroad's 150th anniversary answers the question. In a word, spirit.
The more we know and remember the past. truthfully, without distortions, the better prepaired we are for the future. Heritage-painted locomotives are a great idea. Benefit everyone.
And I also love Tuscan Red with five gold pin-stripes. Hurray for Bennet Levin!
Still, glad the K4s were on the points during my Fort Monmouth days! (Summer 1951 and Oct-Dec. 1954)
And I also loved the Southern's creamy-white-and-green, but the green-and-gold PS4s were even better/
Regards - Steve
The various Heritage units were never expected by me but are appreciated by me because they remind me of things past and things that I never saw. Metra's own Heritage fleet is nice but I will always think that 405 (MILW) looks like it belongs on South Shore.
What real benefit to the railroads is there to Heritage Tributes? Railfans, etc. abound on here, but not in the overall population.
That said, since Metra has a few tribute engines, I'd like one in CNW stagecoach yellow with dark green trim and black lettering. Ditto with the old P-S coaches.
charlie hebdoThat said, since Metra has a few tribute engines, I'd like one in CNW stagecoach yellow with dark green trim and black lettering. Ditto with the old P-S coaches.
That'd be nice, that old CNW paint scheme was a classic one!
charlie hebdo What real benefit to the railroads is there to Heritage Tributes? Railfans, etc. abound on here, but not in the overall population. That said, since Metra has a few tribute engines, I'd like one in CNW stagecoach yellow with dark green trim and black lettering. Ditto with the old P-S coaches.
Heritage Tributes help the RR maintain rights to previous Logos and names of merged and purchased RRs.
Dunno about the heritage of Metra, but CNW is owned by UP... and UP might not like Metra using a UP owned paint scheme.
Semper Vaporo charlie hebdo What real benefit to the railroads is there to Heritage Tributes? Railfans, etc. abound on here, but not in the overall population. That said, since Metra has a few tribute engines, I'd like one in CNW stagecoach yellow with dark green trim and black lettering. Ditto with the old P-S coaches. Heritage Tributes help the RR maintain rights to previous Logos and names of merged and purchased RRs. Dunno about the heritage of Metra, but CNW is owned by UP... and UP might not like Metra using a UP owned paint scheme.
Trademarked logos are a big thing with UP, though a minor source of revenue, so I don't see how spending money on painting (but not cleaning) Heritage units helps bottom line.
UP is playing hardball now with Metra, no longer wanting to operate trains, at least not at the current contracted rate, when it expires.
Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.