BNSF/CP/CSX Heritage Program..?

Welcome Back MUEagle! Thought maybe you got locked out or something

 

I could see the other railroads doing a Heritage program at some point. To me, it seems to make sense from a goodwill and financial standpoint. Railfans and hobbiests keep clamoring for Heritage units. The railroads have to do something to protect their intellectual property of fallen flag logos. It seems like they would stand to benefit as well from licensing as well.

 

That's probably simplistic thinking, and I'll readily admit that. I'm sure there is much more that goes into these decisions. I'm sure it's probably also somewhat tied to new locomotive orders as well.

 

Either way, you have to appreciate NS's decision to go with historic livaries, and to go BIG with 18 units. I hope others follow suit in due time.  

I grew up one block from the old SAL line that went/goes through Mount Holly.  I would love to see (and purchase) a heritage unit in SAL livery.  I certainly have no idea that this will come to pass... but I can always hope! Maybe the powers-that-be at CSX will decide to cash in on this idea (i.e., heritage units and licensing locomotive hertitage models). I just don't know if SAL would be popular enough, though, for mass production.

Ciao for now,

Steve Painter

Brother David,

 

Personally, I think it is only a matter of time before CSX at least starts some sort of heritage program and loosens the reigns and allows steam on their tracks occasionally. While yes, they have a railroad to run and freight is their priority, with the good PR that UP and NS have/had/will experience, they will bring something. Remember, any exposure such as steam and heritage fleet, not to mention other things, is almost always good PR for not only the public but more importantly, their customers. 

 

From what I have read on other forums, CSX has and will be closely watching the NS steam/heritage program. With NS being their main competitor on the east coast, surely they can't be outdone! 

 

Just my two pennies...

CP? How about CN? GM&O/Alton: would do nicely.

Here is a CN/GT Hertiage paint scheme

Good Day,

 

Check out the CSX facebook.  I have e-mailed several ideas to CSX as well as posted some of my ideas on facebook.

 

 http://www.facebook.com/#!/OfficialCSX?sk=photos

 

 

Regards,

Swafford

Right after the BNSF merger, there was a big push to sanitize the railroad of Santa Fe logos and lettering on structures and equipment, to reduce the home road defensiveness that produced so much in-fighting in the BN and PC mergers, and others.  Enough time has passed that BNSF has been able to re-invent itself as not-BN and not-Santa Fe, so who knows? -- a series of heritage locomotives might be possible.  I'd vote for it, but would favor keeping as close as possible to the real predecessor road paint schemes,  rather than the stylized type used by Union Pacific.

 

Tom

You've been pretty steady at sharing those what-if computer drawings, and we 'preciate you for it.

 

Tom

Good Day Gentlemen,

 

This is one of my favorite color schemes. Presenting the 21st Century Santa Fe ES44AC.

 

Regards,

Swafford

 

My guess would be:

 

1.  No

 

2.  Maybe

 

3.  No

 

That CN-GT paint sure looks like a top seller to me, that SF is ok but needs some red in it,,,,,,,,,,,remember just one old guys opinion for what its worth.....

 

Rod

As long as they keep this color scheme West of the Mississippi.  We have enough boring black & white NS on this side of the River, lol.

I'd love to see the old-school beaver herald used in a heritage program ....

.

Jim

Good Day,  

 

How about 21st Century Canadian Pacific ES44AC.   

 

Regards,

Swafford

 

          Drawing by Michael Eby          Painted by Frank Swafford 

Does CP really need a "new" herritage program? They seem to have an identity problem with the way they change paint schemes wondering around. There are still active units roaming around in Milwaukee Road 30+ year old paint! They should shoot for first getting all of the power they have in one scheme, then go for special PR units.

Sam...yes I saw those bandits when I lived in Milwaukee. Horriffic!! All the Milwaukee lettering was painted over in a sloppy patch job. UP did a better patch job.  If you think I want to see a Milwaukee Road engine, painted like %^$# then I'd rathor not see one at all.

I'm in the Chicago area, and those poor old patch jobs still work Bensenville yard area. They're sent out on the locals too, which I never understood. Why send out the rattiest looking unit you have to show up at your customers dock door?

 

What's also funny is that after some time the patch begins to fade and the original Milwaukee Road lettering starts showing through again. There are GP's in Bensenville that look like the bandit patch was applied with spray paint.

All the customer is interested in is the freight car is servicable and at his dock on time.  He's not worried if the locomotive's got a patch job, a Turtle Wax foot-deep shine or if the car was hauled there by two elephants and a small boy.  Just that the car is delivered and picked up on time.

 

Also, it's not like he can call up the BNSF and say, "Y'know, CP's been sending me cars with ratty looking locomotives, can you do better and send me a nice, clean train?"

 

Rusty

I'd like to see CSX do such a program as long as it is DONE RIGHT. No foamer "artwork" or "imagination", just accurate representations of what the units would look like if the roads involved still existed.

You forget, he can also call any number of trucking companies.

In which case, assuming he has that option, he probably began shipping by truck long ago.  A shipper is only interested in getting his product from Point A to Point B by the cheapest, fastest way possible.

 

A shiny locomotive and freight car won't do any good if it takes 2 days longer and costs more.

 

Bear in mind, it costs to repaint a locomotive.  I once heard a figure of $5000.00, whether that's correct or not, I don't know.  I'm guessing that includes labor, sandblasting, other prep and masking.(Unless you want to paint over the lights and windows, and you don't want any of that lovely sand to get into the prime mover...)  Now, multiply the costs by the number of locomotive needing a coat of paint system wide.  It adds up.

 

Rusty