Can anyone show pics of each phase paint scheme and tell me about when they were used?
Joe,
Try this link for some information. Should be a great help to you and others…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amtrak_paint_schemes
Neal
The wiki is a good guide but real world photo’s help to give a better sense of how those were implimented.
For example, even though phase 2 was introduced in 1974 and phase 3 in 1976, there were still quite a few passenger cars and some engines running in the pointless arrow phase 1 in 1980 and later.
Also note the Superliner 1 cars were delivered in 1978 and 1979 in phase 2 paint even though phase 3 had been introduced in late 1974. In fact, the Superliner 1 cars remained in phase 2 into the mid-1980’s as they were slowly repainted into phase 3 (long distance trains usually had a mix of both during the 1985-late 1980’s period.
This link shows the engines in phase 2 and the passenger cars in phase 1. Phase 1 and 2 are very similar except phase 2 the pointless arrow on white background was eliminated.
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/370249/
This photo shows a phase 2 engine in front and a phase 1 engine following and a bi-level passenger car in phase 2
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/369780/
This photo shows a leading in engine in Phase 2 and the second engine and most passenger cars in phase 3.
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/692995/
Here is a photo of phase 4
https://www.railpictures.net/photo/680128/
There is a phase 4 and 4b I believe but I haven’t followed those closely so maybe a modern Amtrak fan can fill in on those better.
I often search the contributions at Flickr where many photos can be found.
Some are organized into groups:
https://www.flickr.com/groups/909201@N24/pool/
https://www.flickr.com/groups/2174556@N20/pool/
Otherwise, you can search for, say, early Amtrak and see what comes up. Often, but not necessarily, the photos are dated and some background is provided.
https://www.flickr.com/search/?text=early%20amtrak
Hope that helps, Ed
Actually this is Phase 4:
http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakpix/paintschemes/AMTK012A.jpg
Your pic is Phase 5. (Well the engines are. The cars are Ph. 4 or 4b)
http://www.trainweb.org/amtrakpix/paintschemes/paintschemes.html
The picture that riogrande5761 shown is a consist of Phase IV Superliner II cars. Phase IVb or Phase VI (by Amtrak) has a reflective red sill on the bottom near the trucks with the new logo that started in 2002.
Joe, forgot to add this site which gives you images of most locomotives and rolling stock; both passenger and freight…