NS Heritage Units - With Images - Combined Thread

[asarge]

I like the Pennsy better than the Interstate....alot better. But that's just me. I still put the CofG tops in my book, but the Pennsy and Nickel Plate area very close second.

I just wonder where Casey is gonna find a place to get all of them in one shot for the ultimate PR photo. Don't think he's found a spot yet. Only 2 more GEVO's left to be done.

At least they are starting to show up on more than just coal trains. The Conrail unit is on the headend of an Atlanta bound Roadrailer somewhere in Kentucky now.

[Dave V]

I've heard a bunch of SPFs complaining about the letter, keystone location and number placement on the PRR heritage unit. I can't speak to any of that but those here that are much more intimate with the PRR could you speak to what the issues are or are these guys just being typical SPFs?

Phil

I can answer that, but please don't think for a moment I'm not happy about how this engine turned out.  I love it!

Okay, for the purist...  The most glaring issue is that Tuscan was used primarily for passenger service, while Brunswick Green (DGLE) was used for freight.  There were a handful of exceptions (a Tuscan Baldwin switcher, some Alco Pas re-geared for freight service without being repainted, etc.), but across the massive PRR, this was pretty much a Standard of the Standard Railroad of the World.  This paint scheme is similar to one used on the passenger sharks, and almost no other locos, so it's quite rare for PRR.  DGLE was Pennsy's freight color for most of the diesel era, though some early PRR E7s, E8s, and Pas were 5-stripe DGLE as delivered.

Moving past that, you'll note that the 5 pinstripes don't connect to the circle around the keystone on the side.  They should.  Note also that the font sizes are much bigger than Pennsy used in this scheme, especially the colossal road number.

Here's a photo of the scheme in use:  http://www.bridge-line.org/blhs/images/Winn-Jay/Sharks/Shark009.jpg

Okay, now we take a deep breath.

This heritage unit is beautiful.  It may be a bit of a "fantasy" scheme, but holy crap.  It's just gorgeous!

I'm ecstatic that the Pennsy is represented again, and in such a tasteful way.  The NS official photo is my desktop photo.

Long live America's Broad Way of Commerce, the mighty Pennsylvania Railroad, the Standard Railroad of the World!  And thank you, Norfolk Southern, for honoring her in such a classy way.

[Bob Bufkin]

Agree with everything Dave just posted.  One other thing I wish they did was place the number under the cab.  Hopwfully we will be seeing the EMD units before long and I'm eagerly awaiting the Reading unit.

[Dave V]

Agree with everything Dave just posted.  One other thing I wish they did was place the number under the cab.  Hopwfully we will be seeing the EMD units before long and I'm eagerly awaiting the Reading unit.

Bob, I was going to mention that because most 5-stripers were cab units and had the road number up front below the stripes between the cab steps and nose, BUT...  The centered number up high is actually correct for the passenger Shark scheme.  Check the link.  Just the sizes are very different.

[Bob Bufkin]

Saw that but I still prefer it on the cab for some reason.  Just a minor complaint because I still think it's the best looking one of the bunch - sorry Eric.  the Southern unit is great also.  Reminds me of the E8s which used to run the Crescent through Alexandria, VA way back when.

[conrail98]

Ok, thanks Dave and Bob. That was the gist of the complaints I heard but and they were all like "I can't believe the screwed this up". I agree though, they're gorgeous, and like I told them, Conrail was less than 3 months old when I was born so the simple fact someone like me can see these paint schemes in person is really frickin' cool,

Phil

[Bob Bufkin]

That unit would look really cool leading the E8s during the June Conrail trip but I know that'll never happen.

[seusscaboose]

I still think it's the best looking one of the bunch - sorry Eric. 

no worries... it's in my top 2 as well

[Bob Bufkin]

Eric you might want to keep a watch out for this.   

Per RK on the nsopspamdde list NS 8100 is sitting in Enola on a 650 CONSOL train for Baltimore, which should run tonight/tomorrow morning. Too bad it's not the PRR heritage unit running on ex PRR trackage! I'll be out of town this weekend, but I figured hopefully someone can get this on the President St Branch!

[davefoxx]

Eric you might want to keep a watch out for this.   

Per RK on the nsopspamdde list NS 8100 is sitting in Enola on a 650 CONSOL train for Baltimore, which should run tonight/tomorrow morning. Too bad it's not the PRR heritage unit running on ex PRR trackage! I'll be out of town this weekend, but I figured hopefully someone can get this on the President St Branch!

Are we talking about #8100 coming down the Port Road to Perryville possibly tonight?  Damn, I'll be out of town.   

DFF

[Bob Bufkin]

YES, down the Port Road.

[John]

gist of the complaints I heard but and they were all like "I can't believe the screwed this up".

Good grief .. SPFs ... There probably isn't anyone left working in the paint shop that remembers what they look like.. besides, its an evolutionary process ..

[Dave V]

I did forget to add one more "mistake..."  The keystones on the front and back should not have circles to be correct for the passenger shark scheme.  But, there's nothing saying that NS was trying to be 100% correct for that particular scheme.

However, this is one SPF who is really pleased with how nice this looks!

It does beg the question as to what Pennsy units would look like if PRR had been smarter with its money in the 50s and survived until today.  I would imagine the corporate image would have evolved into something completely different than anything seen prior to 1968.  I imagine some modernized keystone motif, but probably nothing like the good old 5-stripe circle keystone or shadow keystone schemes.

This looks immeasurably better than what would probably have evolved had Pennsy survived.

[seusscaboose]

YES, down the Port Road.

Oh my

Bob... More info needed !!!

[Bob Bufkin]

If I det anymore I'll post.  I received it via one of the groups I belong to.  Train is in Enola and will head to Consol in Baltimore with coal sometime this weekend.  Unfortunately I can't get over there either as my wifes birthday is tomorrow so I already have other plans.  Hope you an catch it and get some pics.