In the February '06 issue of MR in the section about Trainfest there was a picture of T55’s newest idea, painting new engines in old paint schemes. The two pictured were two Gevo’s, one was painted in the SP black widow, one in the old NP yellowish-goldish and black.
I’m guessing they’ll be doing more of this type of thing, so my question to you guys is would you buy one of these in your favorite classic paint scheme? I would consider it if they perhaps made one in perhaps CGW or a whole host of RR’s, and they came down in price quite a bit.
I have batted around the idea of someday building a what-if layout. For example, setting the layout in the present day but using Pennsy as the road. Brunswick green GEVO’s would probably be nothing special to look at, unless you are a Pennsy fan.
Although I’m not into T55, retro schemes are actually part of the fun of real and model railroading. I’m working on a pair of SD-40s painted up in the old 1960s Genesee & Wyoming scheme. Freelance, retro, and fantasy is a lot easier these days with UP and BNSF units and remote controlled humpers/trimmers running on the old NYC two miles down the road from home.
I think its a great and cool idea. Then again, I am younger guy at 31 going on 12 so I am not too stuck in my ways. I think the new BNSF scheme is cool too so i guess that puts me in the odd ball category,
I figure it this way, back when my uncle was modeling (50-60’s), you had your choice of what 30-40 roads? 50? I cant even guess but they were everywhere. And all consideded major lines. Now days, you have only 7 class one lines 7. That can get pretty boring for someone just getting into like me. If you are doig modrn times, you are pretty limited. Unless you pick some small reginal or freelance.
Granted, I admit, the price is pretty steep and hopefully, it will come down by the summer. But I think the theroy or conecpt is a great one. You can have fun with a throwback scheme. Either make it a great conversation peice, or be perfect for those that wanted to model a “what if scenario.” LIke the fellow doing PRR. How cool to see a GEVO done up for PRR or NP, WP SF… it can go and on.
I give Tower 55 credit. Even if you dont like the engines, you have to give some props for thinking outside the box and haveing some fun whith it.
What T55 needs to do is sell JUST the retro shells for $15.00…They’ll make a killing!! Think of all the different shells they could do in fallen flag livery…
I parallel Adalie here. I have often considered playing with a modern Pennsylvania Railroad. I think that would be awesome. That would be as awesome as an EMD DD40X in PRR…Which I have.[;)] Now…The next thing I’d like to see is an SD70ACe in PRR. But until I get an airbrush, I’m off to dream.[:D]
Where other railroads are concerned, as long as the paint scheme strikes my fancy and looks good to me, I don’t care if it is prototypical or not.[8D]
I must be missing something, but the only tower 55 advertisement i found in this month’s MRR was of a BNSF in the new black ,orange, yellow, and silver paint scheme…they didn’t mention SP at all…page 38…chuck
