Should the Montana Rail Link have it’s new locomotives delivered in the current paint scheme, or would you prefer something different?Their scheme is quite dark, and can be hard to photograph. As we saw with the CSX SD70ACes last October, this is a hard working railroad with tunnels where units can get dirty in a hurry. A dark scheme hids the dirt longer and lighter paint perhaps does not suit the MRL. I think the tops of the units should remain black, but I would like to see the flanks painted either GN Big Sky Blue (just a bit lighter than Conrail) or perhaps Milwaukee Road Orange. Any thoughts?
I personaly like the current scheme. I vote they stick with it.
I agree with one minor exception. The nose of the locomotives should be changed. The stripes only work on a narrow nose, not a wide one like the SD-70ACe.
Just my two cents.
Gabe
I agree the stripes might not look good on the wide cabs but for visibility they will probably stick with em’.
I think the MRL has one of the classiest schemes in the country right now. The only other one that could top it is perhaps the Arkansas and Missouri ALCo’s. I agree about the nose, thing, though. And I fear stripes would look really bad on the bulldog nosed Aces. But, I guess it will be fun to see how they come out.
Chris
Denver, CO
I like the paint sceme the way it is, but I admit that it is hard to photograph.
Would anyone prefer “Montana Road” instead of Montana Rail link ?
Why the pu***o change things on the MRL? I like the name and scheme myself.[8D]
I don’t really want to change things, I want to read other people’s opinions on a railroad I like. And deep down, I want the Milwaukee Road to come back.[:(]
I would be happy with anything but the current scheme.
Oh, OK. I was just curious. The Milwakee was before my time (at least out west ) but I sure do wish I could have seen the boxcabs and little Joes going over Pipestone pass. It would be so cool to see a heavy drag electric. Oh well, what can you do?
From official sources at MRL, there are no plans to change the color, layout or lettering and logos on any of the power. The SD70ACes will look a little bit different account the mechanical layout of the units. The large lion/W will be moved ahead of the radiators rather than being beneath them. The nose stripes will look pretty much like those on the F45s online now. I think the stripes will actually hide some of the ugliness in the sheet metal there. The units will be painted at CEECO in Tacoma, WA.
I like the current scheme. It is kind of like NS’s paint scheme, simple, yet effective.
To be honest about it,I don’t care for the “link” part of the name. I makes me think of the over-use of the word “connection” in business names. Montana Rail Connection ([xx(])
On the flip side, Montana Rail Link(s) does sound like a dandy name for a golf course with railfanning priviledges.[:D]
Hey guys, Personally I wouldn’t change a thing. the stripes are good for me but if I was to change them at all I would bring the stripe end back on the sides like the CEFX.
I always liked the name “Montana Northern Pacific” with an NP-inspired paint scheme.
arbfbe, jump in here if you have a better answer, but I got the story of the MRL name from folks on the Washington Group and BN sides, so assume there might be something to it. To wit…
The name “Montana Rail Link” came about as a generic description of the property during sale negotiations between Dennis Washington and BN. Supposedly BN kept referring to the operation as BN’s Montana “rail link” – and the term became so familiar during the discussions, that Washington just decided to stay with it as the corporate name.
I like the paint scheme, and having photographed it so many times, have gotten used to the exposure compensation required.
The “Link” is because at the begining of the railroad it link the BN and the UP to gether via Garrison, MT and the east point at Huntly, MT and the west point of Sandpoint, ID.
I completely agree with where you are going. Anything that would bring back the Milwuakee has my vote!!!
i’d rather they change their SD70ACE order to have cablights first…
when did CITX get ACEs…?