From the Shortlines group on Yahoo!: Subject: IAIS to paint ES44AC in Rock Island heritage scheme From the Iowa Interstate Yahoo Group. Peter Arnold IAIS to paint ES44AC in Rock Island heritage scheme Posted by: "Joe Atkinson" Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:49 am (PDT) I thought it was interesting when someone brought up the idea of a Rock Island heritage scheme on one of the new ES44ACs here recently, because I had heard rumblings the week before about the IAIS already having plans to do just that, but couldn't say anything yet. I received confirmation from Henry Posner, Chairman of IAIS' parent company RDC, that one of the two new ES44AC locomotives currently being completed by GE at Erie will be painted in a Rock Island heritage scheme. Details of the chosen scheme have been decided, but are not being made public at this time. It's my understanding that both of the new units - one in standard IAIS paint and one in the RI heritage scheme - will be painted at Mid America Car in Kansas City, as has been the case with nearly all IAIS acquisitions since 2004. Joe Atkinson
It will be interesting to see which scheme! Hope it's the 1960's red/yellow with speed style lettering. Someone please catch a picture as soon as there's word of the paint job coming out of that shop! Boxcab E50
As long as it osn't one of the two following: All-maroon "Bankruptcy" blue & white :tb-wink: Methinks it may look like one of the early "Rocket" schemes.
That all maroon style did not weather well. It was sometimes hard to tell if it was dirt brown. The last scheme I did not like, for it's representing the end and white paint just does not work. Boxcab E50
Am on the same group and someone had an ES 44 in blue and white lol.I would like to see red and yellow with speed lettering.
Awsome Well, As a Railfan on the FAR western end of the Rock's System, I'd love to see this Unit be something special. I think the Red and Yellow scheme would fit in with the IAIS standard scheme than a Blue and White Monster. Wither way, Im excited to see what it will look like.
I'd like to see one in Crabgrass Great Weedy, err, Chicago Great Western. Rock had a great scheme with the yellow and red. I think it'd look good on a modern GE. Willt hey have any copyright troubles with UP when doing this? Does UP have any rights on CRI&P?
I think they might because I have seen some trinity 5161's with CRIP on them mixed into a string of CTRN, CMO, CHTT gray covered hoppers.
The December 20009 issue of Trains magazine has an artist's conception on page 18 depicting an IAIS ES44AC in Rock Island "Rocket" colors, such as what was painted on the F-units. Red stripe on black with a white separator stripe between the red & black, and "ROCK ISLAND" painted below the red. IAIS reporting marks and road number (513, according to IAIS) below the cab side windows. The conception is from IAIS, so FWIW................would be nice to see its sister unit (both joining the fleet by December this year) painted in similar colors, and run 'em in pairs. And it ain't Bankrupt Blue!
