There is a “Bandit” loose in Milwaukee. And it is a great thing. Just last week a true Milwaukee Road consist made its way through Milwaukee with 2 GP40’s pulling an autorack train. A friend got some pictures. Below are a couple of pictures of CP/Milw GP40 still wearing the “Bandit” scheme. The Milw GP40 is pulling the “Canal Job” and is headed back into Milwaukee after switching some local industries in Oak Creek. Also in the train is a set of “retarders”. I guess they must be made locally. The shots below were taken at Waterford Ave on the southside of Milwaukee.
It’s amazing that the engine has remained in that paint scheme for so long.26 years? I doubt that anybody would splurge in the expense account for a fresh coat of orange paint. I’m not trying to start an argument, but I do think appearance matters to some customers.
That’s great to see. In St. Paul, Minnesota there are a couple Milwaukee road MP15ACs in there bandit paint scheme still being used at Pigseye yard. Here in Duluth, Superior there are a couple Milwaukee road units still running around but have long been repainted. One Gp40 and possibly still a SD9. Not completely sure on the SD9. 4 of them work 17th street yard and 28th street yard. Very fun to watch.
There are also a bunch of Milwaukee road Grain hoppers. More than 10 of them always sitting in 28th street yard waiting for there grain loading.
Pretty cool stuff.
When the SOO first took over the Milwaukee Road they painted a black patch over the “Milwaukee Road” on the side of the locomotives. I guess to some people it looked like the locos were wearing a “mask” like a bandit, and the name stuck, or something like that.
