Shades of the AEM7: Amtrak’s newest heritage locomotive, ACS64 No. 662, made its debut on Thursday, handling Northeast Regional train No. 176 from Washington to Boston. The first trip came shortly after Amtrak released photos on Twitter of the Siemens locomotive wrapped in a recreation of the paint scheme worn by the earlier electric locomotives built by EMD and ASEA. The wrap was sponsored by Dovetail Games, which will feature the engine in its Train Sim World 2 game.
I would like to see Amtrak advertise on its equipment if it means it could provide more or better service for less subsidy.
Also, I like the heritage paint scheme. Good job!
Nice job, Dovetail. I’ll be looking out for it in-game.
Wow that looks cool, Phase 3 was the best paint scheme for Amtrak just wish it lasted longer, this should have been a paint scheme though and not an ad wrap.
Like this paint scheme more than the current one. But then I was born the same year as Amtrak was launched.
For its time – early 1980’s – this livery was cutting edge. I liked it.
I never have made the effort to investigate it further, but for awhile I have been curious whether the FRA’s restriction on third party advertisements on railroad cars extended to locomotives. I have seen several examples of locos in other countries painted or wrapped with advertisements for various entities. In the US an advert wrapped loco seems rare and in many cases it is for a charity. Anyone out there know if there are US rules against third part adverts on locomotives?
I’m not sure about your question, but this is actually the second time Amtrak will have an advertisment on an ACS 64. The first was a Coca Cola wrap last year.
The rule only applies to cars in interchange service. An Amtrak locomotive is neither a car nor in interchange service.
I think it was New Deal (FDR Administration) legislation prohibiting third party adverts on RR equipment.