Recently Repainted SD40-2's/other Loco's Spotted

Why is CP so lax when it comes to repainting their older locomotives (like SD40-2's)? Why don't they repaint the SD40-2's that have little or no paint left and their colors faded? Look at railroads like NS and UP. I know they high profit large railroads, but they stay on top of repainting their locomotives very well, unlike the CP. I realize I make it seem like they don't repaint any of their SD40-2's whatsoever. However, they have been slowly repainting of small number of their SD40-2's (probably the one's they are going to keep). As we all know, they have a new paint scheme (the red without the Golden Beaver..example: ES44AC's) that they are sticking with. Below, I have a collection of photo's that serve as evidence for these recently repainted SD40-2 units. If anyone else can answer my question as to why they are so lazy about repainting their SD40-2's and even their SD40-2F's or "red barns" (none have been repainted into the new scheme and I thought that CP was pleased with their performance) i would appreciate it. Furthermore, it would be great if people could add to my picture list of CP units (not just SD40-2's) that have been repainted into the new CP livery w/o the golden beaver. I know that they have painted their ex-GP40X's, select GP38's, select GP9u's, select GP40-2's, and even an AC4400CW into the new livery.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 64&nseq=35

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 181&nseq=0

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 84&nseq=79

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 3&nseq=109

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 886&nseq=2

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 8&nseq=162

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 0&nseq=165

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 7&nseq=243

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 893&nseq=1

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 275&nseq=1

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 0&nseq=391

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 7&nseq=426

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 6&nseq=447

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 1&nseq=508

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 0&nseq=525

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 0&nseq=538

CP is the first and last letter in the word CheaP. Paint isn't free, so they (likely) paint units as required if they're laid up for more involved repairs. Just a guess.

Here is a shot of mine that has three units in the new paint, GP38-2 (ok, it's got a beaver on it), SW1200RSu, GP9u... and all on the same train.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 57&nseq=11

lock4244 wrote:CP is the first and last letter in the word CheaP. Paint isn't free, so they (likely) paint units as required if they're laid up for more involved repairs. Just a guess.

Here is a shot of mine that has three units in the new paint, GP38-2 (ok, it's got a beaver on it), SW1200RSu, GP9u... and all on the same train.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 57&nseq=11

Well does it really matter as long as the units run fine. it's not the paint that moves the engine.

lock4244 wrote:CP is the first and last letter in the word CheaP. Paint isn't free, so they (likely) paint units as required if they're laid up for more involved repairs. Just a guess.

Here is a shot of mine that has three units in the new paint, GP38-2 (ok, it's got a beaver on it), SW1200RSu, GP9u... and all on the same train.

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.p ... 57&nseq=11

Some railroads go through money saving procedures- anything to save a buck. CP got rid of the Pac Man logo in 1988 to save a bit of a buck.
As regards the darker red paint scheme. I always thought that the brighter "action red" scheme they used, since 1968, should have remained. The darker red looks dull, especially on a cloudy day.
Maybe that darker red paint (Candy Apple Red) was cheaper than the Action Red. If that's the case, then I wouldn't be entirely surprised at CP for choosing it.

I too enjoy seeing freshly painted units... But I can't help but think about the issue from the railroad's (rather than a railfan's) perspective.

Good paint may look nice, but does it help in actually running the railroad? Nope. Are the railroad's operations affected by the perceptions of the public or railfans when they see a ratty unit? Nope. Do shippers care if a locomotive's paint is ratty, as long as the railroad's service is good? Nope. Will an old locomotive run better with new paint? Nope.

Aside from that, why paint units that may not be on the roster much longer? There are still many SD40-2's left--but what if a freshly painted unit has a major component failure right afterwards? After all, some of them are in their fourth decade.

Makes sense.

I've been seeing these freshly painted units lately. In fact, I just saw one two days ago. I don't really see much of a point in painting these units, either, especially considering that they're older SD units and should have their mechanical conditions paid attention to more than their looks. I like the new paint, but the non-painted '40s look better; they have that nice "bubblegum" appearance to them, and they look more lively like that.

I can't figure out their painting scheme either. They have some SD40s assigned to the D&H. These units have cab signals for NYC. They sent out the STL&H 5690, and 5698. The 98 had fresh beaver paint. I don't know if these units were mechanically poor, but the 5671 looks awful. I always thought that that unit was a dog too.
About the same time STL&H 8244, which was in fresh STL&H paint was repainted to CP, sans beaver. This is a 50 year old GP9.