Amtrak wrap gives loco an identity crisis

IDK, I like it

@TheRambles posted:

IDK, I like it

Thanks Tony - couldn't get the picture captured from my mobile!

I happen to like it better than any of the newer version.

They ought to wrap it to look like a GG1 or a New Haven EP-4.

Then, at least, it would look like a locomotive.

All modern Amtrak power looks like they threw away the locomotive and kept the box it came in.

Looks good to me!

I don't see how this is an identity crisis at all.  Amtrak is doing a great job of representing its heritage for the 50th anniversary of a railroad no one expected to last 10 years.  The Viewliner II fleet is painted completely in a modified phase III paint scheme, so this goes well with that. 

I'm sure railfans said the same thing in 1955 when the PRR introduced the broad stripe in DGLE, Tuscan and Silver with 16" Roman font letters on the GG1.  It must have been sacrilege!

Of course, I am biased.  I took this photo of a toaster when I was in college waiting for the Broadway to arrive in Trenton to take me back to school after a winter break. 

@GG1 4877 posted:

I don't see how this is an identity crisis at all.  Amtrak is doing a great job of representing its heritage for the 50th anniversary of a railroad no one expected to last 10 years.  The Viewliner II fleet is painted completely in a modified phase III paint scheme, so this goes well with that.

Well, some would argue that without government subsidies, it wouldn't have lasted ten years!   With the deep pockets of the government, you can make almost anything last.

I personally like the paint scheme. It's cool to see Amtrak representing it's heritage.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

With the deep pockets of the government, you can make almost anything last.

Does it apply to interstates, bridges and airports as well?

Mike

It should be mentioned that this whole thing was an ad for a train simulator (video game) and that the wrap will be available in-game on the Boston route.

@Mellow Hudson Mike posted:

Does it apply to interstates, bridges and airports as well?

Mike

The difference is that a majority of the population uses those things, nationwide, whereas approximately just 5% of the population has ever used Amtrak or would ever consider doing so, and the majority of them have mainly ridden the NEC.

The LD passenger train is an anachronism and no lesser authority than Wick Moorman declared that on an episode of the Roundhouse Railroad Podcast.

The federal taxpayer should not be asked to subsidize northeastern commuters between Boston-New York-Washington or cross-country sight-seeing vacation trips for retirees.

@gunrunnerjohn posted:

Well, some would argue that without government subsidies, it wouldn't have lasted ten years!   With the deep pockets of the government, you can make almost anything last.

Kind of like the internet.

@Nick Chillianis posted:

The difference is that a majority of the population uses those things, nationwide, whereas approximately just 5% of the population has ever used Amtrak or would ever consider doing so, and the majority of them have mainly ridden the NEC.

The LD passenger train is an anachronism and no lesser authority than Wick Moorman declared that on an episode of the Roundhouse Railroad Podcast.

The federal taxpayer should not be asked to subsidize northeastern commuters between Boston-New York-Washington or cross-country sight-seeing vacation trips for retirees.

I don't drive on the roads you drive on or use the same bridges so why should I subsidize those?  I just want to support the government services I benefit from.

I love it!   Amtrak had a more noticeable identity with phase 3 paint.   Phase IV and later in my opinion offer little positive style.

I loved the Toaster.....and, it performed very well for many years.......a longer life than the HHP8s that were built to replace them.........

Peter

Love it!

I think they did a nice job.  It’s a clean wrap that represents the 50th anniversary well on that locomotive.

I like the wrap and also . . . . .

@Al Nevada posted:

I like the wrap and also . . . . .

That would be a neat model to see.

I understand that some see these things as selling out.   At the same time, these mobile billboards can be seen by millions in the urban NE and West and across the U.S. This can be a source of revenue that can benefit Amtrak.  

Models like this sell fast.  The buzz over the Amtrak Sieman’s Chargers in HO scale, the Amtrak O Gauge (Lionel) and O Scale (Atlas) P42s seem to show that there is definitely still a strong demand.  The freight railroads have long used special heritage and special paint schemes.  It’s passenger railroads turn to do the same.

Don't forget the 3rd Rail run of P42s! 

3rd Rail P42s

@GG1 4877 posted:

Don't forget the 3rd Rail run of P42s!

3rd Rail P42s

Definitely right.  My oversight.  

And these, I am sure, will be nice (and very prototypical) models.

I love that wrap. I loved the Toasters in general, though, so anything like them is okay in my book.

Another for the wrap--I like it, too.

Let's not forget the CalTrain AEM7...

---PCJ

I would have preferred the Helvetica 'Amtrak' lettering with a bit more prominence on the sides, (yes, I know this was done for an ad), but otherwise I think its a nice look.  Maybe it will stick around a while and visit me along the old PRR main.  The last time I was tempted to chase a locomotive was (no surprise) a Phase III AEM7.  The last time I saw one was July of 2003.