why does the CN have so many different paint schemes that they use. is it because of the different territories that the CN runs in or what. thanks alot for shining some light on the subject
It’s simply because CN has higher spending priorities than repainting.
As such, although the railroad may have a single “corporate standard” paint scheme at a given time, it can take a while to accomplish unity. CN is not alone, viz CP which not only has a couple of CP proper schemes running around, but units still with MILW black beard and SOO paint to boot.
This phenomenon is not unique to RR’s; many airlines will have planes in >1 scheme flying around for several years as they phase in the new image.
They have taken over so many different lines that it provides a interesting rainbow of power, but that rainbow of power is fast dissapearing as CN standardizes their fleet and gets new engines. They still have a lot of IC and GTW painted engines left, but the WC and DM&IR engines have been rapidly being retired the past 3 years.
The many different paint schemes allow the railfan to know when the CN Locomotive was last serviced and modified. That helps a lot.
Andrew