NEW UP ES44AC Locomotives iding at Erie, PA. 2-14-09.

[MarkJL]

I recorded this video footage on 2-14-09 at Erie, Pennsylvania. Brand new Union Pacific ES44AC's await delivery west to the UP railroad by the Norfolk Southern. Listen to those GE's chug even while iding! Enjoy!

 

[Ed Sand]

Nice.

 

[B_Kosanda]

Are they still putting flags on them?

 

[papio]

Nice catch on these. Bill, the ones shown are "flagged".

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

Are they still putting flags on them?

Yes, I have seen a couple of the latest ones, and they have the flags

 

[pporro]

Yes, I have seen a couple of the latest ones, and they have the flags

Interesting, an article I read said they did the flags and flares (Building America) for about a year after 9-11 and painted (in round numbers) 365 locomotives that way.

"UP stopped applying the flag decals and Building America slogan on repainted units in about August or September 2002. However, the decision may have come earlier, since SD70M 3991 was repainted in February 2002 and did not receive the flag decals or the slogan. SD60M 6101 was also repainted at about the same time without the flag decals and slogan."

http://utahrails.net/up/up-diesel-paint.php

Now it comes out, they are still using the design?

Oddly that would mean the 2009 paint job in this thread would have been after that series. So now I'm more confused than ever.

Anyone know for sure by roster, not just seeing new looking locomotives? I don't know, so help wanted.

 

[papio]

No need to be confused...

Quote"UP stopped applying the flag decals and Building America slogan on REPAINTED units in about August or September 2002...."Quote

They have, since Nov 2001, applied flag decals and the Building America slogan on NEW units.

The reference to flares regards the radiator sections of SD70Ms and have nothing to do with the "Building America" slogan. Early versions have radiator housings that followed the lines of the long hood, later versions have radiator housing that angle outward of long hood. SD45s had similar flared radiator housings and the newest generations of 70M-2s and ACe's also have similar versions.

 

[B_Kosanda]

The flags don't seem to hold up that well over time. I've seen some pretty washed out flags recently.

 

[(RXR)]

There are newly repainted engines without flags.

Steve Schmollinger: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=376725&nseq=3

 

[Abilene Ks Railfan]

There are newly repainted engines without flags.

Steve Schmollinger: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=376725&nseq=3

I like them in that scheme better

 

[pporro]

No need to be confused...

Quote"UP stopped applying the flag decals and Building America slogan on REPAINTED units in about August or September 2002...."Quote

They have, since Nov 2001, applied flag decals and the Building America slogan on NEW units.

The reference to flares regards the radiator sections of SD70Ms and have nothing to do with the "Building America" slogan. Early versions have radiator housings that followed the lines of the long hood, later versions have radiator housing that angle outward of long hood. SD45s had similar flared radiator housings and the newest generations of 70M-2s and ACe's also have similar versions.

It seems there are conflicting accounts of whether they are adding them only to new units or on re-paints or if they add them at all now? Or is it just specific models from some Mfgs?

That's the question.

So are you saying, UP new units have the design and re-paints will not?

It's more confusing than ever. Can you be specific please?

What's the proper name for the design?

 

[CSX 700]

It seems there are conflicting accounts of whether they are adding them only to new units or on re-paints or if they add them at all now? Or is it just specific models from some Mfgs?

That's the question.

So are you saying, UP new units have the design and re-paints will not?

It's more confusing than ever. Can you be specific please?

What's the proper name for the design?

there is nothing to be confused about. REPAINTED locomotives do not get the flag. A few did whem it was first adopted but it was then decided that only BRAND NEW units would get the flag.

This is still the current policy. Only BRAND NEW locomotives get the flag. This is why you see it on new power coming from EMD and GE.

Bryan Jones
Brooks,KY

 

[pporro]

there is nothing to be confused about. REPAINTED locomotives do not get the flag. A few did whem it was first adopted but it was then decided that only BRAND NEW units would get the flag.

This is still the current policy. Only BRAND NEW locomotives get the flag. This is why you see it on new power coming from EMD and GE.

Bryan Jones
Brooks,KY

Maybe no need for confusing but I was?

Thanks for making it clear.

So the first 365 were repaints, since then only new. And when any of the above get a re-paint, they won't get a flag. Right?

I want to start collecting photos of the locomotives and tracking which numbers have flags. That's why I was asking for specifics.

Thanks!

 

[papio]

No, those 365 units cited in your reference were in an order for NEW SD70Ms, they were not repaints. Some shop level managers took it upon themselves to add nose wings and in some cases, flags to units being repainted. When this was brought to the attention of UP HQ locomotive managers, they directed that only NEW locomotives receive wings, flags and the Building America slogan.