I totally disagree GBN. How much "waste" is putting a differnet decal on a loco or car that is being "repainted" (they don't even use paint anymore really other than the base colors, if any) The time spent for someone to come up with the design and put it in the computer? A computer cuts the decals, its no different than making a "standard" decal.
There is something unique about the railroad and Amtrak with its varied history. While there are fans of other gov't organizations, I don't think there would be much fanfare if the say....IRS decided to go retro and celebrate their history! hahahha
If anything, it shows Amtrak more in touch with itself and its history, and in turn its history and the people who ride, and how they view the railroad. One could argue that its a throwback to the "good times" of the 1980s, with the commericals and the more visible role Amtrak played back then in media.
With National Train Day which is a success, and this, Its refreshing to see the excitement about something that was written off for dead not very long ago.
BTW, the loco looks GREAT. The 3 stripes "are Amtrak" and one of those things that are recongizable without a name being necessary. and not even just to railfans, to "normal" people too!
On the RR, "believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see"
John, aka "JTGSHU" passed away on August 26, 2013. We honor his memory and his devotion to railroading at railroad.net.