Now Im not trying to sound unpatriotic here, But i believe that Union Pacific emblazoned on the long hood of a diesel looks better than the flag does. Now it was a great time to fly the flag when UP first started putting them on their new diesels. Does anyone think there will be a time when they start reapplying the scheme that the first SD70Ms came in, aka no flag? And which one looks better?
Absolutely, Your opinion and you are entitled to it.
Having said that, Union Pacific by right of ownership and national pride can decorate their property any way they see fit. To fly or to display the American Flag is their priviledge, and I happily support that display of Patriotism. Their equipment travels out of the US into Canada and Mexico, nothing wrong with ‘flying’ the flag under those circumstances.
By the same rights Canadian Pacific can fly the Maple Leaf on their equipment as well and be proud to do it. They used to have a composit decoration that did show their flag on their locomotives, and if I am not mistaken one of the Mexican carriers uss the flag of Mexico as part of their deco on their engines as well.
In my opinion during these devisive times , we need to display the flag as a symbol of the United States, and the repersentation of the blood, sweat and tears that have been shed in its honor and defense.
MY opinion;
Semper Fi!
I absolutely agree. Thats all the reasons TO fly the flag and it couldnt of been said better. Im proud that Union Pacfific decided to fly the flag and at all the contries that flag goes to (Canada and Mexico). I trying to convey this at a point of anisthetics only.
The biggest problem I have with the flag is that isn’t always clean. When you fly a flag, if it gets torn or faded, you should replace it. A UP locomotive can get pretty dirty between washings and locomotives don’t always get repainted at the first signs of faded decals. If UP had wanted to do a batch or two with flags, and keep up after them, great. But, the whole fleet? How about a smaller decal that would be easier to keep up after and be wiped clean every trip.
Also, flags flown at night should be illuminated. And in any group of flags here in the US, the US flag should be the most prominent - in the middle and the highest.
The flag on the long hood is kind of in a ‘second class’ position - trailing the UP shield on the nose, so to speak. If it is to be used, I’d rather see it on the side of the cab near the road number, where it would be more prominent, on a smoother surface, and hence easier and more likely to be kept clean as Don points out.
Both the UP and the CP have a unique claim to displaying their respective flags: Each of them (and the predecessor roads, CP ==> SP ==> UP) were instrumental and absolutely essential to spanning and then facilitating subsequent states/ provinces to unite each nation in the first place. And in the case of the UP-CP, there was of course extensive US government involvement in financing and protecting the construction, ETC.
- Paul North.