In the interests of fair play, and to put my virtual money where my virtual mouth is, I thought it would be appropriate for me to initiate a UP compliment box. Here’s my two cents:
(1. I really like UP’s idea to make “heritage” locomotives and to put them in the original paint schemes of the originating roads. I saw a picture of a baby blue MoPac unit numbered 1982, and thought it was quite well-done. As far as I know, Uncle Pete is the only RR at all that makes this bow to RR history, and I think it’s a very nice touch!!
(2. Although I don’t know the exact details, I think that UP did its best to be the good neighbor after it absorbed the Espee main line through Reno, and offered to build the trench through downtown. Given its relative position in the industry, it could have thumbed its nose at the community. It didn’t. So, a tip of the hat to the company there, too!!
(3. I haven’t seen many of these kinds of commercials, but the UP TV commercials that I’ve seen are quite distinctive. Growing up in the ‘70s, I’ll always remember the "Great Big Rollin’ Railroad" jingle, it was the background music at one of the bigger model RR layouts that were open to the public in my hometown. Some may dismiss it as corny or kitschy, but if the true test of these ads is memorability, I’ll never forget the jingle! I also like the “Building America” campaign, and BTW, where on the system were those pictures taken? It looks like it might be somewhere in NV or UT, but I wasn’t sure. (and by all means, if there are other notable TV ad campaigns that other roads have put on, please write in!)
that was a commercial? i cant get that song out of my head.
yes their heritage fleet is nice to go search for. i caught the CNW one in altoona 2 days ago. those ACEs are interesting to say the least. and i will say that UP made a nice move with the wings on the nose. harking back to their old F unit days and bringing out a speedy look to the train.
i like the added lightning stripe present on the newer painted locomotives too. CNW has left a mark
and contrary to what most people say about those few ex SP SD70Ms, i like the look of the lowered grey on the cab area. you’ll know what i mean when you see one.
NS has TV ads, mostly aimed at investors or potential investors. I’ve seen them on Sunday mornings during the news talk shows. I’ve also seen them sponser some of the news/financial shows on PBS where they would have a little snippet of their ads.
The last one I saw, they were talking about taking freight off highways and putting it on trains. It showed the train paralleling the highway. There is a tree on the right of way between them. When a truck goes by, a branch of the tree picks up the trailer/container and puts it on the train.
The NS[ primarily it predecessor roads] seems to have a heritage of doing things that enhanced the public image of the railroad; specifically, the steam operations behind a number of different locomotives, their own and other roads. I was fortunate a number of years ago [about 1967] when the original Memphis and Charleston RR Depot was rehabilitated, the Southern RR brought the replica locomotive,Best Friend of Charleston to Memphis for the event. I was young, and at the site on the edge of Forrest Yard when it was unloaded and moved away from its transport cars. I was given a ride by the engineer and his helper. The replica was retired in about '93 and is at the Museum of South Carolina on exhibit. And for sure the public displays by the UP of its Special Fleet of both steam and diesels brings them the kind of high profile publicity and imade building that money cannot buy.
Are there any other Class 1 Railroads doing something similar to the heritage paint schemes that UP have? I saw a picture of a modern loco in WP livery with a large feather at an angle along the sides - very well done.
The WP locomotive was an SD70ACe that UP has painted for Western Pacific as part of their Heritage Fleet, too. There was rumor that CSX was doing Heritage Units, but I haven’t heard anything else about it.
Thanks Jonathon! Will you let us know if you find out any more about CSX (or NS for that matter) heritage units? Imagine all the different liveries/color schemes [:P] from the east coast fallen flags that make up the heritage for CSX and NS…[;)]
Anyone remember the UP billboard ads showing several head shots of UP locomotives? I remember one of the locomotives was a Centenial. The tag line on the ad may have been advertising UP’s “unlimited power,” but I’m not sure about that.
There’s a UP bay window caboose in the North Salt Lake (UT.) yard with one of the “Keep on truckin’ by train” ad on one side being used in local service.
while i love the heritage program, i dont like the REAL reason UP is doing it. it’s just to get a little extra money off of the model ocomotives in the schemes of RRs UP bought out. these models are extremely expensive as it is and i dont want to have to pay MORE money now.
On this topic, can or does anybody know why the “RR heritage” can’t go to an earlier point, if not the earliest point, of railroading? Since the D&RGW was one of the roads that was “secondarily” swallowed up by the UP, why couldn’t UP do a D&RGW-schemed unit? Or a “Spokane International”? What’s so necessarily special about the SP, or WP, or (no offense, Lord Atmo) the C&NW? Also, excuse me if this seems basic, but how would UP or any road get “extra money” off the units? Are these rebuilt or otherwise in very poor condition? Aren’t they new?
UP didn’t have to paint 6 locomotives to “get a little extra money”. Take a look at UP’s annual revenues, they’re not depending on Athearn to stay in business. UP was getting the royalties BEFORE UP 1982 and 1983 were ordered. I believe they are really interested in preserving their past with the Western Heritage Museum, the Union Pacific Museum, their Steam Program, the Heritage Locomotive Program. They’re not running steam locomotives and painting special units because they have to. They’re doing this to do exactly what I believe it is supposed to do, honor the employees of the former railroads.
All of the old MP and MKT heads I’ve talked to feel great that UP has taken the time to do something they really didn’t have to do. The licensing program is so their models will be more accurately protrayed from logos to paint colors. I’d rather pay 5 extra bucks to have an accurately painted model, than have an extra Lincoln in my pocket, and a crappy looking SD40-2.
They already have logos plastered on rolling stock, so why would the heritage series come into play? It’s also a well known fact that a majorty of their PR people are railfans, so it makes sense. Dick Davidson once told he he’ll be a Mo-Pac man until he croaks…you decide.
As I recall, there were quite a few “catchy” slogans on the UP cabooses that were quite well thought-out. One was “Let’s not Meet by Accident”. I also liked “Keep on Truckin’ by Train”. Does anyone else remember any?
UP isnt? i was only told by numerous others on here that that was their true intention behind the program. if they arent doing this for that reason, then kudos to Union Pacific for granting me something with a ball and bar on it garunteed to run the rails for a good long time
Well, Rip, UP has done a D&RGW unit. I think that if the purpose of these units is to build employee morale (questionable–people who don’t like their jobs aren’t going to be swayed by something like this, IMHO), then they’d have to stick with railroads whose former employees are still around. So Spokane International would probably be out. You might have some C&EI, T&P, and CGW folks hanging on (I don’t think we have any CGW people left here any more), but probably not enough to worry about. I’ve mentioned it before, but I think SSW probably deserves a tribute.
What about the old El Paso & Southwestern. SP took over this line and the UP absorbed the SP. Still a small(short) section of the EP & SW used by the UP. Maybe a heratige unit in this old color scheme?
Personally, if they extend the program, I think I’d love to see a “Tootin’ Louie” unit! BTW, when did the C&NW take over the Minneapolis and St. Louis?
Good catch, C-Shave. BTW, on that point, do you know who/how the “Cotton Belt” moniker was developed? At what point did that line stop being called “St. Louis & Southwestern” and start being called “Cotton Belt”? Was the name “St. Louis and Southwestern” ever stenciled on the rolling stock, or has it always been “Cotton Belt” and the SSW reporting marks on the lower parts of the boxcar? And who is “Tootin’ Louie”? (sounds interesting)
