Anyone remember this paint experiment? I shot this photo in November 1988 at Galesburg, IL the train coming off the Chicago sub.
Yes. Never cared for it. To me, it didn't seem to be a great help, in improving visibility. Glad it didn't spread far. Boxcab E50
I agree Boxcab. I've got a print somewhere of the "white face" where the white stripes of the nose extended up onto the face of the cab. Seems BN was looking for a new more highly visible scheme in the late 80's.
Maybe this is where the idea came from: Chicago Union station, December 1988. I was laying over to catch the Lakeshore Ltd to Poughkeepsie, NY. X mas break. Before terrorism and restrictions.
With the white also used, the nose of that E unit does stand out. So it probably worked well as such. But black and orange as a combination, just did not make me think visibility. Nor did it seem attractive. Boxcab E50
I remember this scheme well. That was about the time when my railfanning hit high gear as a teenager and seeing the "new" GP50's was a treat. I never really understood the "high visibility on the front of the locomotive" push. I think if you are seeing the front of a locomotive, you are either stopped on the tracks (which I believe is illegal) or it's probably too late for you anyway. I do think the conspicuity (sp?) striping on the sides they are doing now is a good idea, because stupid teenagers driving around backroads at all hours of the night don't pay enough attention and sometimes they almost plow into trains that are already going by. (haven't done this personally, but I have been a passenger where the vehicle stopped, literally, inches from a speeding train.)
Doug, I think the side striping is a good idea also. I almost slammed into a coal train at a dark crossing once.
The son of a friend of ours did that. Slammed into the side of a train. At about 40 mph. About four (?) cars back from the two engines. Dunno how he could miss it. It wasn't even hours of full darkness...... Boxcab E50
Some GP50's got Tigerstripes, as did one SD40-2, 8002. The first 3 real SD60's (before the M's) also got Tigerstripes.
Only is disagreeable when used in that striping....... Otherwise, those are great colors. Especially when maroon is added. Boxcab E50
You would think that with the colors of my high school AND my college being orange & black, I'd be a Milwaukee Road fan. But such colors with the green & black are downright hi-dee-uss!
