To Peter and David;
There was a different Illinois Central logo prior to the split rail. This was the original green diamond. The words ILLINOIS CENTRAL were black on a white band with green triangles above and below the band, forming a green diamond. Variations on this logo were used by Chicago Central & Pacific (the IC Iowa lines) and Paducah & Louisville.
The colors on the E-units were brown over orange with a yellow separation stripe. Central of Georgia had two E8A’s (811 & 812) painted in these colors for the “City of Miami” pool.
I just glanced out my window about five minutes ago and saw 102 and 103 going by. I had never expected to see E-units in CN’s paint scheme, so I didn’t know what to think. Alas, my camera was downstairs…
So what’s the point of doing up these units in CN colours? Excursions?
Thanks Paul [;)][:)] - I appreciate these details which give a picture of the history behind the name.
Do you think the lower case “i” similar to a rail profile in the circle is a good logo? I reckon it’s quite clever. I like things that have more than just the obvious meaning - one sees the “i,” then one realizes it could also be a cross section of rail. Quite nifty! [:)]
Back in my youth (before I discovered rugby), I used to ride the South Shore Line home from high school and would see Illinois Central trains pass while I was waiting for my train. The split rail logo and orange and white colors came out at that time and I thought that the split rail was quite imaginative and that the new colors were an improvement over solid black with some white trim.
I agree Paul [;)] - black is probably practical for not looking too dirty, but large areas of black without much of a contrast is pretty depressing [xx(]. The orange and white sounds better. I wonder if there would be pictures in the Railpictures website…I’ll have a peek. heh heh [:)][:)]
This is generation gap stuff, but as far as I am concerned IC 100 to 104 are pretenders. 100 and 101 came from the BN and the other three came from NREX, probably originally sold to other lines. And the paint scheme?
Actually most of the IC E units are gone. See http://www.icrr.net/ic_diesel.htm
According to that list one B unit was on the Alaska Railroad in 2003 and a couple of E8A’s were said to be in Minerva, Ohio, with NRT (New Jersey Transit?) marks. I don’t know if that list is necessarily up to date.
The icgphotos.com site referenced above has some good photos of units with the original paint scheme and Green Diamond logos. That was the scheme when used when the IC’s streamlined fleet was built post WWII. The split rail logo was introduced in 1967, which was about the same time that IC Industries was formed and signaled many changes in the management style of the railroad. The logos and and their dates of use can be found at http://www.icrrhistorical.org The split was eliminated with the IC-GM&O merger, as part of at least a modest effort to avoid “takeover” mentality. I believe the “Death Star” logo came about when the IC was spun off from Industries.
For many, the E-series locomotives represent a high point in rail passenger service, and it is nice to have a few survive. From a historical viepoint, I guess I find modern paint schemes a little bothersome. Something like having a fully restored Ford Model T decked out in red paint.
Well maybe not the topic but the engines… saw the ic100 heading north may 26th it was running but in tow with 6 or so cars a very beat up cn engine ( similar to a mp15) and 2 big wide body in the lead. it looked like it was in great shape.
Hey guys! The only reason H.H. had these units repainted was to get rid of the Canadian National ( Canadien National in French) name on the sides. Remember that the railroad is to be refered to as CN in all respects including all rolling stock. The black, green and gold business cars have also been repainted in the orange (red) black and white. Now that is ugly!!!
Gee, I wonder how that switch in corporate image sets with many of the folks in Quebec.
Get too much French out of “CN” and H.H. may find himself being sent home on a rail (or two, if he is lucky). LOL
That would be the answer to not only my prayers but to the other employees of the CNR as well. Being tarred and feathered would be too good for him. Signal Mechanic. Signal Department. Canadian National Railways. [:D]