The SD40-2: railroading's "little black dress?"

[ShortlinesUSA]

I've yet to see a paint scheme look bad on these units, even if I can't stand it on anything else. Case in point-- I am by no means a fan of Pan Am Railways' new paint scheme (I still even call them Guilford, but that comes from airline background and hangups with calling them Pan Am out of respect for the airline), but somehow figured it would manage to look great even in that paint scheme.

Here's a first look at the recently repainted MEC 604, an ex TFM SD40-2:

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?ph...0Am%20Railways

So, let's see the other "little black dresses" from some other shortlines and regionals. All hail the SD40-2!!!

[Bryan Jones]

Originally Posted by ShortlinesUSA

I've yet to see a paint scheme look bad on these units, even if I can't stand it on anything else. Case in point-- I am by no means a fan of Pan Am Railways' new paint scheme (I still even call them Guilford, but that comes from airline background and hangups with calling them Pan Am out of respect for the airline), but somehow figured it would manage to look great even in that paint scheme.

Here's a first look at the recently repainted MEC 604, an ex TFM SD40-2:

http://photos.nerail.org/showpic/?ph...0Am%20Railways

So, let's see the other "little black dresses" from some other shortlines and regionals. All hail the SD40-2!!!

Looking at that photo the first thought that came to mind was "Missouri Pacific", even moreso since the MEC 604 lacks dynamic brakes. Personally I look more forward to seeing the 3 SD45 carbodies and 1 snoot SD40-2 repainted than I do the SD40 carbodies and "standard" SD40-2's. Out of the 10 units Pan Am bought, there are 5 distinct varieties in the group!

Bryan Jones
Brooks,KY

[Joe the Photog]

For me, the all blue Pan Am paint looks bad on anything I've seen it on in pictures.

[troy12n]

It would look a lot better if they didnt paint the trucks and fuel tank blue, that is just gaudy. CSX learned their lesson on that pretty early on. At the end of the day, this is the same cheap Guilford railroad and they will be looking dingy soon.

[nikos1]

I think it could look pretty good with silver trucks.

[ShortlinesUSA]

Silver trucks can always brighten up, but as a post above alludes to, Guilford, er, Pan Am is too cheap to do that. Here's another favorite scheme from the world of the shortlines and regionals-- Indiana Rail Road. 4001 is one of the best looking units on the roster in the updated scheme, IMO.

[nikos1]

Inspired by the late great GM&O no doubt, one of my favorite paint schemes even though I was about 30 years too late to see it. Would love to shoot the INRD one day, but wish I had been in time to see them run the Hoisser sub.

[TrainFanNZ]

My 2 best looking SD40-2's