Days after Amtrak wrapped one of its ACS64 locomotives in the paint scheme once worn by its AEM7s, Bay Area commuter operator Caltrain has unveiled a repainted AEM7 in a variant of the red, black, and white scheme worn by its MP36 diesels. The ex-Amtrak unit will be used to test the Caltrain catenary system, in advance of the arrival of its Stadler-built EMU trainsets, as it prepares to switch from diesel to electrified operation between San Francisco and San Jose. In a Facebook post unveiling the locomotive, Caltrain thanks rail contractor Herzog for sponsoring the repainting. The catenary system is slated to be completely installed by summer 2022.
Sure beats Amtrak’s latter-day solid aluminum paint.
BTW, this year, SEPTA used 3 of its AEM-7’s on Fall Foliage trains. These were not “Leaf Peeper” passenger trains going to the hills around Thorndale, but work trains to scrub the slippery stuff off the rails.
You can’t keep a good motor down.
Seeing this the other day made me wonder about the influences that made silver trucks a “thing” west of the Mississippi?
Pretty sharp looking!
Shows you how a new paint job influences one’s opinion! If I had never seen an AEM7 before, I would have thought this was a brand new locomotive!
Very sharp for an old girl. It really catches your attention.
Caught my attention when new, Washington DeeCee 1983. Class act after all those 1970’s Amtrak freight designs masquerading as passenger locos.