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I was RailFaning in Santa Barbra Today waiting for My Favorite Train The Coast Starlight, when it Came in, over 3 of The Cars on The Train were missing there Superliner and Amtrak Logos, See Picture Below-
Any Explanations?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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That is the simplified paint scheme being applied to all cars that have either received 'wreck' repairs or that have been through the "state of good repair' heavy repair program.
That scheme was first intruduced during 2003; considering how active you are railfanning, I'm surprised you had not previously noted such.
jgart56 Member # 3968
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When heading home on Metra last night,I counted 8 such cars in the yard at Chicago. At first I didn't like them without the lettering, but the simplicity has grown on me...and as long as everything is ship shape on the inside, the outside doesn't matter that much to me. OK, I am somewhat bothered by those cars that have huge dents and scrapes on the side. It reminds me of the dent in my car...put there by a fast flying grocery cart. I wonder what put those dents and scrapes on the Superliners?
20th Century Member # 2196
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I like the simplicity also. The cars look much more sleek. I just wish they would keep the state names on them.
North American Railroader Member # 3398
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I agree with 20th Century, back in the day most railroads didn't have their name on the side of their passenger cars. Without the name, it makes the cars look sleeker, and probably saves a few pennies as well. So next time Amtrak needs to paint the cars, I hope they just leave off the words, except for the state names (which add a little bit of auora to it all). I mean, what's the point of writing 'AMTRAK' on the side, what other national railroad could it be?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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I'm not sure where you are coming from, Mr. North American; all roads, save exceptions "very late in the game', gladly displayed their names on the side of a passenger railcar.
The biggest exceptions: Pennsylvania and Missouri Pacific. Both designed schemes circa 1964 with only a herald. MOP's name was part of theirs; Pennsy's was not.
North American Railroader Member # 3398
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Sorry for the misunderstanding, what I meant was on the stainlesss steel fluting. I know Seaboard and the like all had their names above the windows, but Amtrak has always painted their name along the fluting between levels, disrupting the design along the side. Thanks for the correction, though.
SilverStar092 Member # 2652
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I agree thatn the state names need to eb put back in place. They are just decal lettering and can't cost much at all in materials or time. They give the cars personality and are a tradition in railroading and on ships. Removing them reminds me of SP with its nameless cars. In fact, years ago Amtrk came out with a list of names for the Superliner I sleepers but never applied them. Only the George M. Pullman and Edward L. Ullman were named.
CoastStarlight99 Member # 2734
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I agree..the state names are nice...atleast they are still on the doors inside. And they need to get rid of the South Dakota one since Amtrak doesnt serve S.D.
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Everybody take a step back and look at Jonathon's photo again. The scheme Mr. Norman refers to that was introduced in '03 (commonly known as Phase IVb) is not quite what we see here. As Jonathon noted, there is no logo next to the door (as is normal for Phase IVb). Phase IVb also gives the type of car (sleeper, coach) on the blue stripe at the end of the car. This car has none of these.
Okay, I took this picture on my last trip on the Coast Starlight and this is a Superliner sleeper which is just like the one in the picture, it has the Amtrak logo on the right side, and the kind of car is located on the left side of the door.
Correct me if im wrong, but according to the picture I took there is no difference unless both of these cars have something different...
goduckies Member # 3885
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if you look on the photo, you can see the new amtrak logo on the right side right behind the people, so it is still on there. Brad
jgart56 Member # 3968
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An interesting thing everybody.
I was on the Metra 4:44pm express last night heading for home in Aurora when the Southwest Chief pulled up next to us and made the Naperville stop. Three of the newly refurbished cars were in this consist and having an up close view of them I noted something interesting...at the end of the blue stripe (on each car)in small letters it said: "Superliner." You would never have seen this unless you were up close and personal.
CoastStarlight99 Member # 2734
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Yes, thats on all the Phase-IBVBs...its nothing like the other Superliner paint schemes. But it does look a bit futuristic so I like it.
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