Is the UP still using the bandit patch for units or are they really repainting units at a furios rate. Seems like I don't see any SP units anymore On run though UP trains in Galesburg,IL anymore. Mostly SD70M'S and And the other wide cabs Mostly AC4400's And AC6000's
Jack.. I'm not sure if they are Patching the Ex SP AC4400's but they are Patching units because they are doing a Major renumbering of most of the engines and they don't have time to repaint all the engines so they Patch them thats how UP does things.
Here in Bakersfield, CA we don't get too many patched units either, but to answer your question, yes UP is still patching units that receive minor shopping. Units like the C44-9W's that are receiving major overhauls are receiving complete new paint. The places you are most likely to see patched units are major terminals, as units in yard and local service seem to be getting the most patches (GP38-2's, GP40, SW1500, MP15, etc...). I assume this is a cost saving move, saving the cost of repainting on units that are not in the company's long term plans (future retirement candidates). As for road units, the SD40M-2's seem to be gaining more patches, as one came through the other day patched as UP2715 (was an SP 8500-8600 series unit). [ 05 June 2001: Message edited by: Kevin Stevens ]
