The other day I saw a GP30 road slug painted in the Dark Future scheme. A road slug. Made me wonder how the re-painting is coming along these days? Anyone have an idea?
seems like a lot of locos I've had lately have been repainted. those road slugs really needed it too! I hate to see the C60AC's repainted though because I think that was the best looking paint scheme CSX has ever had.
I'd say at least half the locos working M&NO Sub are Dark Future. I think it's a good looking scheme.
I think the Dark Future paint looks better than the old Grey/Yellow/Blue paint job. A nod to the C&O heritage, perhaps.
I wish that they would go back to YN2 as the dark future is just that, dark. If you have a little less than ideal photo conditions, it makes getting pics a little more difficult. But anyways,, I would say about half of what I see around the Atlanta area is dark future.
Something I noticed on the 2770, when it was repainted, the rear number boards were completely removed and numbers stenciled on similar to the new locomotives.
http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/html/Active1.html http://www.trainweb.org/csxphotos/html/Active2.html Note that dark blue background means bright future, not dark future.
Wow! That chart answers my question, eh? I liked the Bright Future scheme- because the previous CSX schemes were unimaginative to say the least, after following Chessie's bright scheme. But I like the Dark Future- it's a nod to the old B&O-C&O colors. Course we know the real reason CSX went with it. All that masking and taping takes time, plus you have to stock up on 3 colors. I only wish they used yellow on the nose instead of that cheesy-color they picked.
ABout 1/3 of the CSX diesels I see on the "Fitz" in Cordele are the Bright Future kind- matter of fact, both locomotives on the Cordele Switcher are bright future (a B40-8 and a B30-7). After seeing the "Stealth " scheme CSX had for a while, the Bright Future looke really nice. With the Dark Future scheme, it's not a colorful, but the shaed yellow they use goes well with that shade of blue. We'll see how well it looks after a few years of sun, waethering, grime, etc have had its way with the paint. Just as long as they don't go to a "Dip" job............like the "punkin" MOW diesels..........
I have been seeing more and more YN3 schemes... In fact, today, I caught what looks like a freshly repainted slug set on a coal train.... More and more I am seeing more YN3 units down this way.
Report in a company newsletter reported that roughly 1100 of the 3800 CSX engines have been repainted into the new standard.
I agree, I loved the AC6000CW original scheme. Now I understand that the 70macs (700 number series) and the ex Conrail 80macs are being repainted and renumbered into the 4500 series. On another note, I hope I can get here more often. It has been over a year. I used to post on my lunch time at work, but the computer nazi's did away with that activity for everyone. As for myself, I help moderate the CSXTSightings Group on Yahoo. The CSX Boston Line is 1/2 mile from my house. I grew up in N&W territory. I still have a warm feeling for NS and spent a couple of days last month railfanning Altoona, Horseshoe Curve, Gallitzin, Cresson and Cassandra. I also love ALCO's and caught a few in Scranton on that same trip.
I am assuming you were tongue in cheek when you said that. CSX did it to really save money. It costs more to paint and mask a 3 color scheme job than a two color scheme. That is the only reason they did it. Plus it would cover the Conrail blue easier. I don't count the white on the roof. As for other items ending up in Dark Future. Last year when I was up photographing at Selkirk, I saw an old Conrail yard slug, made up from an old Alco, painted in the Dark future scheme.
True, it's a "dip" job. The same reason why the B&O went from it's nice blue, gray, black schemes to all blue. Easier to do. I think it would be nice if they at least had a thin gold stripe near the top.
