choochooloco
Blue On Black
I borrowed the title from a fantastic jam by Kenny Wayne Shepherd. If you have not heard this tune, give it a listen. Definite ear-gasm!
As for the photo, I wish years ago that David Goode would have put Blue On Black. This bright blue nose and cab would have been a creative way to celebrate newly acquired Conrail into the Norfolk Southern locomotive scheme.
However, it was not to be. Early in the take over, it became obvious that there would be no place for the Conrail name or logo in the expanded Norfolk Southern system. Anything with the can opener was restenciled or covered as quickly as possible.
When the first DC /AC rebuilds were released, I was pleasantly surprised to see they wore special schemes. Especially those adorned with some Conrail blue!
These units look great with a blue nose and mane outline. Add these two changes to the current black carbody and you have a winner!
Ask any older NS employee about the breakup of Conrail and you hear the same old story: "NS took over Conrail." Not accurate at all, but there is no changing their minds, so I grit my teeth and shutup. And depending on the audience, it can be extremely difficult to keep my mouth closed!
If you recall, back on June 1st of 1999, coal was still king. While the new owners kept the former Big Blue property moving, focus was still on filling hoppers in the south. Intermodal up in the north was not the focus. No new growth to speak of, no new business.
Fast forward 22 years later. The railroading landscape for NS has dramatically changed. Coal is no longer king, not even queen. Black diamonds were replaced by, you guessed it, intermodal!
Regarding the former Big Blue territory, it is the busiest on the system. That's right, the inferior railroad that was taken over still provides the heaviest tonnage per mile! As for intermodal lanes, spend a day on the Northern Region and the answer becomes very clear. Intermodal is king on these rails.
That being said, it would be very interesting to see what kind of shape Norfolk Southern would be in today if Conrail was still intact. My personal opinion? I honestly believe that CSX and Conrail might have absorbed NS into their systems. Don't discount a KCS bid on the Thoroughbred either. Both situations are plausible.
Blue on Black? With things in better perspective in 2021, maybe more than a few locomotives should wear Conrail blue in some shape or form. Just a thought!
Blue On Black
I borrowed the title from a fantastic jam by Kenny Wayne Shepherd. If you have not heard this tune, give it a listen. Definite ear-gasm!
As for the photo, I wish years ago that David Goode would have put Blue On Black. This bright blue nose and cab would have been a creative way to celebrate newly acquired Conrail into the Norfolk Southern locomotive scheme.
However, it was not to be. Early in the take over, it became obvious that there would be no place for the Conrail name or logo in the expanded Norfolk Southern system. Anything with the can opener was restenciled or covered as quickly as possible.
When the first DC /AC rebuilds were released, I was pleasantly surprised to see they wore special schemes. Especially those adorned with some Conrail blue!
These units look great with a blue nose and mane outline. Add these two changes to the current black carbody and you have a winner!
Ask any older NS employee about the breakup of Conrail and you hear the same old story: "NS took over Conrail." Not accurate at all, but there is no changing their minds, so I grit my teeth and shutup. And depending on the audience, it can be extremely difficult to keep my mouth closed!
If you recall, back on June 1st of 1999, coal was still king. While the new owners kept the former Big Blue property moving, focus was still on filling hoppers in the south. Intermodal up in the north was not the focus. No new growth to speak of, no new business.
Fast forward 22 years later. The railroading landscape for NS has dramatically changed. Coal is no longer king, not even queen. Black diamonds were replaced by, you guessed it, intermodal!
Regarding the former Big Blue territory, it is the busiest on the system. That's right, the inferior railroad that was taken over still provides the heaviest tonnage per mile! As for intermodal lanes, spend a day on the Northern Region and the answer becomes very clear. Intermodal is king on these rails.
That being said, it would be very interesting to see what kind of shape Norfolk Southern would be in today if Conrail was still intact. My personal opinion? I honestly believe that CSX and Conrail might have absorbed NS into their systems. Don't discount a KCS bid on the Thoroughbred either. Both situations are plausible.
Blue on Black? With things in better perspective in 2021, maybe more than a few locomotives should wear Conrail blue in some shape or form. Just a thought!