In this months TRAINS magazine, I saw a picture of some dark blue BCRail locomotives. I think they were new C44-9Ws, but I'm not sure. Does anybody know anything about these new locomotives? ------------------ Drew What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go!
Dark Blue? Does that mean an end to the awful, gaudy red, white and blue? Oh, for the lovely two-tone lightning stripe green scheme ------------------ Alan Curtis. Moderator. Member #12 The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
Here's a BCR red, white, and blue C44-9. The new dark blue C44's have the white stripes on the nose, and white lettering that reads " B C Rail " on the side. Otherwise, they're all dark blue. The article said that BCR wasn't planning on changing their red white and blue paint scheme, but for some reason, ordered new locomotives with a new paint scheme. I've still been looking for more info, but can't find none yet. Back to searching.... ------------------ Drew What's that? A train horn? Sorry, gotta go! [This message has been edited by CPRailfan (edited 29 December 2000).]
CN has just recieved a shipment of those units . They have alot of horsepower but they respond slow . IMO , General Motors locomotives are better .
To be honest, I like the red, white, and blue. Its fresh and contemporary. But then I also like the new BNSF paint scheme. The paint scheme is also easier to see in our sometimes drap, heavily overcast, rain, dark grey days. It also weathers better than the old paint scheme. My take on the blue is that BC Rail is doing whatever to cut its costs in the short term. They didn't do the slash and burn layoffs that other railroads have done, but they have made up for that recently. I suspect the "blue" is a "hold" paint job, being cheaper to do, with the hopes that latter they'll be in proper colours. This same cost cutting scheme might jeaprodize the Royal Hudson from ever returning to active service. BC Rail was doing a cost benefit analysis to see how their Steam Excursion would be affected by the loss of the Hudson. I don't know the results. I do know the Steam Excursion train is being cut back in service from 5 days a week to three. Not a good omen.
Thanks for the responses guys. I've yet to find any pictures of these units, but if I run across some, I'll be sure to post 'em here.
Just for the record- Red, White, and Blue is still the official paint scheme of BC Rail. I have a fealing when the new managment is brought it will return. Alot of people at BCR have been commenting that alot of the lower managment level, and middle management types don't like the blue at all. And the nice thing about that is soon the middle managment will be the top as alot of the directs at BC Rail are slowly packing their bags and leaving. Nice little mess they have going. Anyway, I am not sure why all the reapints are being done in Blue, they still have red white and blue in Squamish. When a locomotive needs a touch up they give it some nice red, white, or blue. Hope it returns soon! Dane N.
Even if BC Rail was to get rid of the Red/White/Blue scheme, if you travel to Vancouver Island the E&N locomotives are painted in a similar scheme. The Rail America scheme. "Dark Blue? Does that mean an end to the awful, gaudy red, white and blue? Oh, for the lovely two-tone lightning stripe green scheme" [ 14 February 2001: Message edited by: E&NRailway ]
