Perish the thought employees get something out of the deal. And yeah, if the inside is clean, comfortable, and functional, who cares about the rest? No one wants to use a unit that smells worse than stall #3 at the St. Paul Grayhound depot (or should be required to either).
My hippie aunt used to call me condescending too. I didnt give a flying rip then, and I still dont. The point is that sinking into the name calling isnt going to help any discussion of the merits/demerits of the new paint job. Im with ya Harry for the most part, may this engine pull many ton-miles of freight and earn the KCSM lots of money.
BTW, By foamer I assume you mean something like a zealot? Just remember, overzealous railfans arnt just located outside the rail companies. They just arnt as well trained in safety and procedures as the ones within the companies (and havnt already gotten permission to be on rail property).
The ones on rail property aren’t regarded that highly, either…
Im not surprised. Zealots have a way of getting people hurt or killed.
Anyway, what would you think would be a way to improve the paint? Since this paint was originally on E and F units, Are you suggesting the old black or red solid paint with white zebra stripes on the ends? Or would you suggest reverting from the passenger version of the paint to the freight version of the same scheme? My only real change would be to make the unit roof black instead of silver.
What was wrong with the grey dip job? Those fancy paint jobs look good on a sleek E or F, not a hood unit. For me, the simpler, the better.
I wont argue too much on that. I like the Gray Ghost that they have now. Besides, It could always be worse. They could go back to the white or go with the orange and green that the TexMex used.
Just out of curiosity, do you know why the headlights are dissapearing from the short hoods of the KCS GPs and SDs? I see ditch lights and the lights over the cab are still there.
The new color scheme looks great and is historically significant in its simialrity to the KCS diesels that first headed the Southern Belle in 1948. Unlike CSX, you will rarely find a dirty KCS engine and these babys will be kept in spit and polish condition. “Iron Mike” Haverty knows the value of public relations and more importantly HOW TO RUN A RAILROAD! Under his guidance the KCS has invested heavily in new and efficent equipment AND in infrastructure improvements and increased capacity. I suggest you read the recent Trains Magazine feature article, “KCS From Hay Wire to Live Wire” and you will be better informed than you apparently are now about this road.
We investors are happy - the stock closed as almost $36 today approaching triple its $13 price of three years ago - and is forecast to sell for $50 a share within the year. The KCS is definitely on the right track despite your opinions to the contrary!
Mark
In the end, customers just want their freight moved as cheaply and efficiently as possible. They could care less what color engine moves it. Paint only pleases a bunch of foamers and looks good on a PowerPoint presentation. Public relations… hah… the public could care less, as long as the crossings aren’t blocked and the horns aren’t loud.
More money for paint for engines, and less for the employees. I would be more pleased with a stable image, not one that changes with the phases of the moon. If KCS went to an even simpler and cheaper (ala CSX) image would you react the same way?
I would like to know how good of seats they put into them, if they have window washers, real fridges, automatic handbrakes, etc. etc…
This is why our grain empties are stuck in Mexico somewhere? And these phone calls do happen. “Elevator: Hello yard? We need six more empties to fill out our train. Yard: Ummm, we spotted 102 didn’t we? Elevator: Yeah well eight of them were missing gates…again. Don’t they ever check that stuff in Mexico? Yard: We have no idea what they do with them down there, or why the railroad pulls them with open or missing gates or missing top covers. Besides, that is why we sent 102, just in case. Elevator: okay,…”
Another case. Ethanol plant ships 78 brand new TILX hoppers of DDGs to Laredo. Only 70 came back 22+ days later, some missing gates (of course). Glad we don’t send them any tanks. The Pixley, CA trains turns in 11 days.
I pass the IC&E yard every day, and see their RIP filled with mostly KCS and Mexican 4460 and 4750 cuft covered hoppers waiting for repairs.
So they really know how to railroad down there eh?
My! How impressive!
I certainly hope you are putting your dividends to good use by helping those less fortunate than yourself.
Zugmann I’m back,but in a better mood. “You’re a clown” came to mind from your reference to the Circus paint scheme. If you don’t like the scheme thats fine but once is enough. I like it and thats my opinion. And you’re right most of the public could care less, just don’t block the crossing. As for colorful schemes, I grew up with the Pennsy, It’s just good we still have KCS around and it’s not a fallen flag. So, sorry it sounded so bad. It sure got responses to this thread. Is there something outside of Bloomsburg, PA?? Boy I hope so. WOW a 12 year old, maybe that wouldn’t be so bad!
That is a great paint scheme! I hope one of those units comes through Fullerton soon.In the daytime.When I have my camera[:D].It certainly beats their dip gray paint.
All the good stuff comes at night… you wouldn’t believe what you see when the sun goes down.
Wow… That really looks awful. Only on a passenger train is my exact thoughts too Zugmann! Ahh, yet another example of wasting money on things that didnt need fixing…
Alec
That paint job looks like a hot dog with ketchup and mustard.
Did KCS join up with McD’s or something?
I don’t know why RR’s don’t just paint everything black. It has got be a whole lot cheaper then big elaborate paint schemes. Besides, they gotta leave enough room for graffiti.
LOL… it does have that McD’s look. Want fries with that?
Even if the railroads just paint everything BLACK, they still will need to add a lot of Retroreflective Stripes in Yellow, White, and Red to make the units highly visible.
Andrew
Some amazingly childish words from people who are supposed to be adults.
As a railroader, I can say this…
It’s about time someone some where took a little pride in how their locomotives and rolling stock appear.
It’s also about time someone realized that both can be rolling advertisements to the general public, a way of making the railroad part of their everyday life.
This is in sharp contrast to how most carriers act nowadays, when running under the public radar seems to be the normal mode of operation.
The whole point of painting any locomotive any color other than a utilitarian blue, black or green is to attract attention, which these locomotives, and the hoppers when released, certainly should do.
I remember all the fuss about the BNSF “Pumpkin” paint, or the “Halloween Scheme”…but I don’t recall to many folks upset about the BN green with the black top, (to hide the soot and dirt) going away…although the Santa Fe fans are still PO’ed about the loss of the War Bonnet.
But you certainly can’t miss a BNSF lead unit, one glance and you knows whose power is up front…combined with a unit train of their newer hoppers, painted that odd oxide red with the BNSF swoosh on the side, and you know whose train that is.
The gripe about American jobs being done in Mexico is really funny, because if you think about it, most of your locomotives( and many assorted parts for them) are built there, or in Canada…and I don’t hear too many complaints about the way Canadians paint locomotives.
Personally, I like it, for no other reason than the one stated above, the fact that they are showing some pride in what they do, with a nod towards the history of KCS, and a show of force towards the future, letting everyone know they plan on keeping their railroad alive and well, are proud of what they have done, and are proud of what they are going to do.
They want eve
Well said… and to jump on the wagon, I’ve always had the idea that freshly painted and clean engines give off a positive appearance to the railroads customers and general public as to how a railroad runs.
CC
I don’t think UPS cares about the color of the engine when their train is 24 hours late! Providing good and timely service is the best thing they can do to enhance their image to their customers. The only public exposures railroads will get is when they smoosh a car at a crossing or derail another 50 propane cars. Pretty paint isn’t going to save you at either place. With whistle bans, NIMBYs, and terrorism, I’d rather the railroads operate under the public’s radar.
As a railroader, I could care less about what the engine looks like on the outside. I’d rather have something that is nice and roomy on the inside and in decent mechanical shape. They all look the same at night, anyhow.
PS. >> As far as the Mexican vs. Canadian comment… there doesn’t seem to be an outpouring of Canadians sneaking to the US and draining our resources.