Eastern Railroad Discussion > Would CSX go for this?

It's a long shot, I know, and it might be a stupid idea to some, but I need honest opinions here...

I've been working on a set of fictional CSX Heritage ES44DCs for Microsoft Train Simulator, and I've had a number of people suggest that I send shots of these engines in to CSX themselves, suggesting a Heritage unit idea similar to UP's... I just need a few opinions from those who might know the company-- would such an idea suggested to CSX actually go anywhere? Do you think they would at least consider the idea, or just instantly turn it down?

I've had ideas for eleven CSX Heritage units, and I've got six of them done, including B&O, C&O, ACL, WM, L&N/Monon/NC&StL, and Clinchfield, with the SAL, RF&P, Chessie, Seaboard System, and Conrail units to come... I know the odds of them using my exact idea are almost impossible, but would they at least consider the idea of Heritage units, or better yet, something more attractive than YN3? I'm a bit more skeptical now that they've repainted the 2667 and 4617...

Just after some opinions... If it's a stupid idea, I won't bother contacting them...

Here are the six units I have so far...

>>MC



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/08 10:08 by mc5725.

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The other three...

>>MC

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I have no idea what to tell you, Matthew, but that B&O is a dandy. Good job all-round. Jim, in Galion, OH.

I like them except for the WM one. Just my 2 cents

Nice!

Being from B&O territory, like the sunburst treatment best.

Good work.

Be Well,

Tim Colbert K3HX

No idea is stupid, some are just brighter than others. These units look great, please make certain to share the others when you're finished. If I were you, I'd share these with CSX, what is there to lose. CSX current paint scheme is, IMHO, by far the worst of the big four (yes, FAR worse than the NS, I feel). There's zero immagination and creativity to it. These would sure be a bright spot in the fleet.

John R
http://johnr.rrpicturearchives.net/

I like them. What about some other ones from other lines that have been included, like the Pere Marquette?

Also, I think there should be an Seabord System / Family Lines and a Chessie System one as well.

What about predecessor lines from the Conrail Spinoff?

While I'm not a B&O fan, I have to admit that sunrise scheme really looks great. Good job!

Leave the ACL all purple/silver and leave the black/yellow paint for a seperate SCL unit.

Jeff Hawkins

Ditto for the L&N / Monon unit. I think each of those paint schemes deserves a seperate unit. But I think it is interesting how you mingled 2 schemes for the same railroad into one. I LOVE the B&O scheme. Good job, and I look forward to seeing the other units!

Shawn Kline

The SAL unit should be Citrus Orange and green, Just my 2 cents.

Sharon Evans
Glen Allen, VA

Nice job on the graphics.

I'd definitely show it to CSX. There may be a state or city centennial, or major shipper event coming along where a heritage unit could be useful for them.

While it would be nice to see from a railfan point of view, there is no way in the current financial climate that any resonsible company would spend money unnecessarily on such things as "Heritage" paint schemes.

Great ideas and presentation. Much better than the UP units-I do not like the SP or WP heritage schemes. You should send them to the CSX folks, might spark and idea.

Frankly, I don't know what the allure to the "heritage" paint schemes is, but I did notice a lack of a Chessie unit. I'm also waiting for a push for a Penn Central heritage unit...because if you're honoring history, ya gotta take the bad with the good....

Nice work! If I were you, I would go ahead and send them in. What have you got to lose? So what if they say no. At least you tried. Don't send them in and you will always wonder 'what if?'.

Maybe some modelers (or better yet, a company) will run with your idea and actually do models of them?

Regards,
Burlington John

MSchwiebert Wrote:
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> Frankly, I don't know what the allure to the
> "heritage" paint schemes is, but I did notice a
> lack of a Chessie unit. I'm also waiting for a
> push for a Penn Central heritage unit...because if
> you're honoring history, ya gotta take the bad
> with the good....


Chessie's on the to-do list like the original post said, not sure about PC...

I've decided that I'm going to contact CSX about the idea, but I'm going to wait until I've got all eleven of them complete... I'm not expecting a yes, but like everyone said- can't hurt to try!

>>MC



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/08 14:28 by mc5725.

CSX has an afghan (blanket) in their Company Store which features the following heritage logos: ACL, C&EI, L&N, NC&StL, SAL, B&O, WM, NYC, RF&P and C&O. Yeah, several are notable in their absence, but that's the point--I would think the line has to be drawn somewhere. C&EI seems a bit odd, even though L&N did get part of it from MoPac. For what it's worth, my opinion would be that if there's a snowball's chance on any of this, it would be: C&O, B&O, SCL, L&N, NYC, RF&P, Chessie, and SBD. We all have to remember that there ARE several heritage cabooses on CSX, and there was the one short lived Family Lines painted U36B load test unit at Waycross.

I say go for it...whats the worse thing that could happen? If they like it, it means a lot of railfans will be spending more money on gas to chase those nice heritage units on CSX. I did try this idea with Metra here in Chicago about four months ago and they would not even concider the idea....Imagine a F-40ph in Rock Island again pulling bi-levels into joliet. But try with CSX, maybe they would be more willing to look into this idea...Steven in Aurora

Another thought on this subject: In the case of the B&O 175th Anniversary cab, IT was painted with private funds. If CSX would go along with any of this "nonsense" as long as various historical societies footed (part of?) the bill, my wallet would certainly fall open. Any thoughts on this angle?

Yeah, go for it. I would like them to do it and the Childrens Fund bitch, moan and groan about unnecessary expenditures! LOL

It that fails, try NS. I'd like to see something other than Southern Tuxedo colors:

NKP with the stripes, Wabash Blue and Gray, P&WV, AC&W yellow, Virginian, N&W maroon with the script herald...

Too be sure, NS got some PRR and NYC lines too... A lightning stripe NYC scheme or PRR with striping would be awesome.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/08 19:15 by wabash2800.