Three Canadian National locomotives have been repainted into heritage paint schemes, and more are reportedly on the way. Photographs circulating on the internet show locomotives painted in Grand Trunk blue and red; the red, white, and blue BC Rail paint scheme; and the black Illinois Central scheme known to railfans as the “death star” design. Visible in photos the Grand Trunk unit is a CN logo featuring a “25” and the U.S. and Canadian flags, reflecting the 25 years since the privatization of the formerly government-owned railroad through its initial public stock offering.
A Canadian National spokesman said the railroad was not prepared to comment about the locomotives. Unconfirmed reports say there will be a total of 18 locomotives involved. Painting of the locomotives to appear thus far has been outsourced to non-CN facilities.
