The report says that three "Big Aces" will replace five SD40-2s in service. I haven't seen too many SD40-2s in PRB coal service lately, but that's just me. OTOH, should be more SD40-2s out in the lease market after the "Big Aces" go online. I'm sure they'll be painted in that H2 scheme, but I would sure like to see one in the H1.
Bob, That "3 replacing 5" is the same marketing slant they used when the 70MAC's came out 12 years ago. At that point it was comparing a new loco with a 22 year old loco....now a THIRTY-FOUR year old locomotive!!! Maybe they should compare it to, say, an SD60? (I think they're 18 years old?) I agree, the H1 was nice, and one of the reasons I'm modeling 1998. H2 Dash 9's (and 70MAC's) were around, but didn't surpass the H1 Dash 9 numbers until sometime in September.
I am unsure of why we're referring to the Swoosh logo as a 'Heritage' scheme... There's no heritage of any BNSF fallen flag in that scheme as far as I can tell. The colors have more heritage in MILW (and not much at that) than in GN or anything else. I want them in H1....
I thought all of the orange schemes were derivatives of their goofy "Heritage" idea. Which there is none in reality. The "Swoosh" is just a logo change, on the same paint background. Boxcab E50
Well, at least they kept orange... The green getting the axe for black, and losing the yellow stripes didn't go over too well with me, tho..
Too bad the orange isn't a little more toward a reefer orange. What they have now, seems too light for me. You made it up to the High Line for some serious fanning yet? Boxcab E50
Funny how the green turned to black. Can we at least have a little horsey on the front. Sorry bad merger joke.
Hemi, I agree that the H1 scheme would probably look great on these units. However, guess we will get the swoosh.....
I hated H2. H1 was nice, but honestly, I'd rather see Blue and Yellow or Red and Silver. Not that I'm against BN or it's heritage,I like those schemes and those railroads too. It's just that killing the most famous railroad paintscheme in the world is a monumentally stupid thing and I can't have much respect for a company that would do it. BN/GN/NP/SP&S fans not withstanding
I can agree to that. Killing the H1 scheme, which was a play on the Empire Builder scheme didn't go over too well with me. One of the most famous flagship trains in the west carried that paint scheme, which I thought was very classy. That said, I respect BNSF more for not joining UP in their games of sueing anyone who uses their name and logos, etc.
YoHo, I do agree that the Warbonnet schemes of the former Santa Fe are dearly missed by many. A lot of classic paint schemes have left us so we have to take what we get and go on. I will learn to like the swoosh on the locos and just look forward to seeing what scheme will follow it.
I think H1 looked and looks really nice on Second Gen/Spartan cab units. I can't say why. I just don't think it looks as good on the GEs and MACs.
ditto to what BNSFrailfan said. And now BNSF has an additional 70 SD70ACes on order which makes 110 total. Can't wait for Kato to produce one.