NS Heritage Units; Time to Repaint?

Not sure who painted them but I'm guessing they were built and painted by EMD. Harsh weather and infrequent washing takes a toll. However, I do see some CSX C40-8 units still running in decent yellow nose two paint over twenty five years of service. I do recall poor paint jobs on the Santa Fe GP60Ms that were peeling off after just a few years that were repainted under warranty when EMD was EMD back in the day. 

The party is over!  Maybe they should all go back to black.  UP's have been holding up.  But, again, to me the party is over!

There is zero chance of those units being repainted.

If a locomotive is washed with too harsh of a solvent that might damage the paint.

Andrew

Ultimately, NS will decide if it's worth the extra labor and expense to repaint the heritage units as is or go to black.

Rusty

Rusty Traque posted:

Ultimately, NS will decide if it's worth the extra labor and expense to repaint the heritage units as is or go to black.

Rusty

Rusty, I think that is very true. However, with thinking about how many heritage units and special painted units NS has commended in the past years, I think they will paint them to heritage.

My guess would be that, as it's determined they need painted, they'll be painted black.  I could be wrong but can't see NS going to the expense of painting them in heritage schemes a second time.

That said, a couple have been touched up after receiving minor damage.

I agree that in future years, these heritage-painted diesels will probably be repainted NS black, as each unit reaches an age that requires major shopping or repairs. These units are all about 4-5 years old now, and often have led train consists, which tends to make a unit dirtier, rather than trailing in a consist.
The special RR schemes and the 1976 Bicentennial diesels fielded by the nation's RRs during the 1970s do seem to have set a precedent, many Bicentennial-painted diesels were still running into the 1980s.
Chessie System's GM50, the GP-40-2 painted gold, lasted 12 years in its scheme, but required several repaintings over that time.
Something to think about is the USA will be celebrating its 250th birthday(hopefully) in 10 years (2026), will there be the level of commemoration by America's railroads that there was in 1976? (approx. 225 diesels, several steamers,  assorted rolling stock, and even a few buildings)
One wonders if any of current heritage diesels running on current systems will make it to that time, and if there will be a new round of 250th birthday schemes?
Chessie's GM50 was sought after by many railfans during the time it was painted gold. (I failed miserably)

Maybe they're waiting to paint them in Canadian Pacific paint! ��

with shrinking revenues and business, and the increasing employee layoffs, NS will hardly be concerned about keeping the "heritage" units in perfect paint to please the railfans......a very reliable source informed me when these units go in shop for rebuilds/heavy repair,the next paint they will see will be black and horsey white. the heritage engines were never intended to be a long term program.-Jim

See what CP and CN do.

Brian may be right.  

Maybe if you sent them money . . .?

The " heritage units" I have seen photos of?  No paint job would save them.  Locomotives are like automobiles - the days of truly good styling are over.  Opinion.

Based on the current state of the paint I see on the locomotives daily, they won't be repainting them anytime soon.....black or heritage.    If they do repaint them I hope I get to see the Virginian before they do it.    Last night I saw my 19th heritage diesel!!!!  Only one more to go....the Virginian.