Some amazingly childish words from people who are supposed to be adults.
As a railroader, I can say this...
It's about time someone some where took a little pride in how their locomotives and rolling stock appear.
It's also about time someone realized that both can be rolling advertisements to the general public, a way of making the railroad part of their everyday life.
This is in sharp contrast to how most carriers act nowadays, when running under the public radar seems to be the normal mode of operation.
The whole point of painting any locomotive any color other than a utilitarian blue, black or green is to attract attention, which these locomotives, and the hoppers when released, certainly should do.
I remember all the fuss about the BNSF "Pumpkin" paint, or the "Halloween Scheme"...but I don't recall to many folks upset about the BN green with the black top, (to hide the soot and dirt) going away...although the Santa Fe fans are still PO'ed about the loss of the War Bonnet.
But you certainly can't miss a BNSF lead unit, one glance and you knows whose power is up front...combined with a unit train of their newer hoppers, painted that odd oxide red with the BNSF swoosh on the side, and you know whose train that is.
The gripe about American jobs being done in Mexico is really funny, because if you think about it, most of your locomotives( and many assorted parts for them) are built there, or in Canada....and I don't hear too many complaints about the way Canadians paint locomotives.
Personally, I like it, for no other reason than the one stated above, the fact that they are showing some pride in what they do, with a nod towards the history of KCS, and a show of force towards the future, letting everyone know they plan on keeping their railroad alive and well, are proud of what they have done, and are proud of what they are going to do.
They want everyone who sets eyes on this to know its "their" train, and they are proud of it.
It's about time...
23 17 46 11
Even if the railroads just paint everything BLACK, they still will need to add a lot of Retroreflective Stripes in Yellow, White, and Red to make the units highly visible.
Andrew
Watch my videos on-line at https://www.youtube.com/user/AndrewNeilFalconer
solzrules wrote:That paint job looks like a hot dog with ketchup and mustard.Did KCS join up with McD's or something?I don't know why RR's don't just paint everything black. It has got be a whole lot cheaper then big elaborate paint schemes. Besides, they gotta leave enough room for graffiti.
That paint job looks like a hot dog with ketchup and mustard.
Did KCS join up with McD's or something?
I don't know why RR's don't just paint everything black. It has got be a whole lot cheaper then big elaborate paint schemes. Besides, they gotta leave enough room for graffiti.
LOL... it does have that McD's look. Want fries with that?
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
Wow.... That really looks awful. Only on a passenger train is my exact thoughts too Zugmann! Ahh, yet another example of wasting money on things that didnt need fixing...
Alec
KCSfan wrote:We investors are happy - the stock closed as almost $36 today approaching triple its $13 price of three years ago - and is forecast to sell for $50 a share within the year.
My! How impressive!
I certainly hope you are putting your dividends to good use by helping those less fortunate than yourself.
KCSfan wrote: "Iron Mike" Haverty knows the value of public relations and more importantly HOW TO RUN A RAILROAD!
This is why our grain empties are stuck in Mexico somewhere? And these phone calls do happen. "Elevator: Hello yard? We need six more empties to fill out our train. Yard: Ummm, we spotted 102 didn't we? Elevator: Yeah well eight of them were missing gates.......again. Don't they ever check that stuff in Mexico? Yard: We have no idea what they do with them down there, or why the railroad pulls them with open or missing gates or missing top covers. Besides, that is why we sent 102, just in case. Elevator: okay,................."
Another case. Ethanol plant ships 78 brand new TILX hoppers of DDGs to Laredo. Only 70 came back 22+ days later, some missing gates (of course). Glad we don't send them any tanks. The Pixley, CA trains turns in 11 days.
I pass the IC&E yard every day, and see their RIP filled with mostly KCS and Mexican 4460 and 4750 cuft covered hoppers waiting for repairs.
So they really know how to railroad down there eh?
In the end, customers just want their freight moved as cheaply and efficiently as possible. They could care less what color engine moves it. Paint only pleases a bunch of foamers and looks good on a PowerPoint presentation. Public relations.... hah... the public could care less, as long as the crossings aren't blocked and the horns aren't loud.
More money for paint for engines, and less for the employees. I would be more pleased with a stable image, not one that changes with the phases of the moon. If KCS went to an even simpler and cheaper (ala CSX) image would you react the same way?
I would like to know how good of seats they put into them, if they have window washers, real fridges, automatic handbrakes, etc. etc....
zugmann wrote: I couldn't care less what color it is - as long as it is nice on the inside. I stand by my opinion that is 100% circus paint and will look like crap the first time it gets dirty. It is also a waste of money that could be better spent of infrastructure, returns, or (here's an odd thought) employees! I don't throw the first punch, but I won't walk away either. There is more to this hobby than paint.
I couldn't care less what color it is - as long as it is nice on the inside.
I stand by my opinion that is 100% circus paint and will look like crap the first time it gets dirty. It is also a waste of money that could be better spent of infrastructure, returns, or (here's an odd thought) employees!
I don't throw the first punch, but I won't walk away either. There is more to this hobby than paint.
The new color scheme looks great and is historically significant in its simialrity to the KCS diesels that first headed the Southern Belle in 1948. Unlike CSX, you will rarely find a dirty KCS engine and these babys will be kept in spit and polish condition. "Iron Mike" Haverty knows the value of public relations and more importantly HOW TO RUN A RAILROAD! Under his guidance the KCS has invested heavily in new and efficent equipment AND in infrastructure improvements and increased capacity. I suggest you read the recent Trains Magazine feature article, "KCS From Hay Wire to Live Wire" and you will be better informed than you apparently are now about this road.
We investors are happy - the stock closed as almost $36 today approaching triple its $13 price of three years ago - and is forecast to sell for $50 a share within the year. The KCS is definitely on the right track despite your opinions to the contrary!
Mark
I wont argue too much on that. I like the Gray Ghost that they have now. Besides, It could always be worse. They could go back to the white or go with the orange and green that the TexMex used.
Just out of curiosity, do you know why the headlights are dissapearing from the short hoods of the KCS GPs and SDs? I see ditch lights and the lights over the cab are still there.
zugmann wrote:The ones on rail property aren't regarded that highly, either...
The ones on rail property aren't regarded that highly, either...
Im not surprised. Zealots have a way of getting people hurt or killed.
Anyway, what would you think would be a way to improve the paint? Since this paint was originally on E and F units, Are you suggesting the old black or red solid paint with white zebra stripes on the ends? Or would you suggest reverting from the passenger version of the paint to the freight version of the same scheme? My only real change would be to make the unit roof black instead of silver.
Harbinger wrote:BTW, By foamer I assume you mean something like a zealot? Just remember, overzealous railfans arnt just located outside the rail companies. They just arnt as well trained in safety and procedures as the ones within the companies (and havnt already gotten permission to be on rail property).
BTW, By foamer I assume you mean something like a zealot? Just remember, overzealous railfans arnt just located outside the rail companies. They just arnt as well trained in safety and procedures as the ones within the companies (and havnt already gotten permission to be on rail property).
Harry_Runyon wrote: Harbinger wrote:Take the comments for what they are worth. Is the new paint scheme going to really affect your life? Not unless you happen to work in the paint shop. So relax, it will help you live a longer, happier life with more chances to go railfanning.The condescention in this post is unbelievable. Zug states an opinion, and an indivdual (obviously a child/pre-teen) resorts to name calling, then he is "advised" to take it all in stride and live a happy life.Its just a bloody diesel unit folks! Its not being used to look pretty. Its being used to get dirty by hauling tonnage. And you wonder why rails have a problem with foamers.
Harbinger wrote:Take the comments for what they are worth. Is the new paint scheme going to really affect your life? Not unless you happen to work in the paint shop. So relax, it will help you live a longer, happier life with more chances to go railfanning.
The condescention in this post is unbelievable. Zug states an opinion, and an indivdual (obviously a child/pre-teen) resorts to name calling, then he is "advised" to take it all in stride and live a happy life.
Its just a bloody diesel unit folks! Its not being used to look pretty. Its being used to get dirty by hauling tonnage.
And you wonder why rails have a problem with foamers.
My hippie aunt used to call me condescending too. I didnt give a flying rip then, and I still dont. The point is that sinking into the name calling isnt going to help any discussion of the merits/demerits of the new paint job. Im with ya Harry for the most part, may this engine pull many ton-miles of freight and earn the KCSM lots of money.
zugmann wrote: I couldn't care less what color it is - as long as it is nice on the inside. It is also a waste of money that could be better spent of infrastructure, returns, or (here's an odd thought) employees!
It is also a waste of money that could be better spent of infrastructure, returns, or (here's an odd thought) employees!
Perish the thought employees get something out of the deal. And yeah, if the inside is clean, comfortable, and functional, who cares about the rest? No one wants to use a unit that smells worse than stall #3 at the St. Paul Grayhound depot (or should be required to either).
zugmann wrote: Nescopeck Tower PRR wrote:Zugmann, you're the clown. The KCS paint job is great. It beats alot of the plain paint jobs such as Conrail blue.Real mature. I state an opinion and you resort to childish name-calling. What makes you the expert on whether something is "great"? Are you a quality control specialist for Dupont? Do you possess a PhD in graphics or art? Or are you just another 12 yr old pounding away on his keyboard?
Nescopeck Tower PRR wrote:Zugmann, you're the clown. The KCS paint job is great. It beats alot of the plain paint jobs such as Conrail blue.
Real mature. I state an opinion and you resort to childish name-calling. What makes you the expert on whether something is "great"? Are you a quality control specialist for Dupont? Do you possess a PhD in graphics or art? Or are you just another 12 yr old pounding away on his keyboard?
Zug, It looks like a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Calling someone a clown or downing them for a lack of a degree is not helpful at all to the discussion at all. In fact it sounds remarkably like the noise coming out of congress.
BTW, I AM a Quality Engineer, and I dont really like the Conrail paint. I do like MRL's blue scheme and I really like this new/retro Belle scheme. Take the comments for what they are worth. Is the new paint scheme going to really affect your life? Not unless you happen to work in the paint shop. So relax, it will help you live a longer, happier life with more chances to go railfanning.
AT BNSF I beleive that they call the new / old (retro) KCS paint scheme... Heritage V.
CC
This is getting interesting.BTW- the scheme is great, but that's just my opinion
egmurphy wrote: Andrew Falconer wrote: The Locomotive and Caboose schemes are excellent for application on an O Scale 3-Rail Model.Andrew The caboose is a special mobile display unit decorated for "Alto Total" (Total Stop), which is a safety program similar to "Operation Lifesaver". Sorry it doesn't agree with you.Ed
Andrew Falconer wrote: The Locomotive and Caboose schemes are excellent for application on an O Scale 3-Rail Model.Andrew
The Locomotive and Caboose schemes are excellent for application on an O Scale 3-Rail Model.
The caboose is a special mobile display unit decorated for "Alto Total" (Total Stop), which is a safety program similar to "Operation Lifesaver". Sorry it doesn't agree with you.
Ed
I am waiting for that scheme to be produced by Atlas O or MTH Premier so I can buy an O Scale 3-Rail version of it someday.
Great for what? Target practice? Actually I like the fact that a company can carry forward it's same image year after year. It shows stability over time. Far better than today's world where images are made up (Acela) from meaningless words, or borrowed from the competition (PanAm).
Of course that is because marketing has been taken over by folks who have zilch for imagination, and think consumers are a bunch of drooling idiots. Ninty-Nine percent of all television adverts prove my point. And if you purchase a product because of that advert, you lend support to their thought.
When I first saw the KCS image, I thought it was a joke or someone playing with Photoshoppe.
Spoken like someone who has never left Bloomsburg Pennsylvania.........
Well, we will look for it here, since most of the class ones go through here at one time or another. I will definitely have to wear my sunglasses that day if it is very sunny, but at least with the advance warning, I will know what I am looking at from a distance!
Thanx for the pictures.
Mookie
She who has no signature! cinscocom-tmw
In a time of doom and gloom reporting over the latest derailment or terrorist threat or threat from congress, whats wrong with a little good publicity. Each of us has our own favorite flag, active or fallen. I just happen to be basking in the joy that it is my favorite road that is getting the good publicity. If the stunt garners a little good will and nostalgia from the community, so much the better. Bob pointed out the UP heritage units. What about bringing back the Rocket paint scheme or Lightning stripes. Wouldn't the fans of those roads be happy to see them come back? Granted, I like the KCS Gray Ghost scheme and have no sadness over the demise of the White Knight, but the Belle has always my favorite so I welcome its return (without trashing anybody else's paint scheme).
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