[RITSlist] Fw: Fw: Rock blue paint

Thu Feb 21 21:36:32 CST 2008

This is a touchy subject for sure. The blue is reviled by so many Rock Islanders and fans. Even my wife hates it. With good reason. There are so many problems with this color scheme. Apart from the complete break from any acknowledgment of the history of the company, it was so un-railroady. Wimpy even.

"A white locomotive? Who paints a locomotive white? Did no one learn from the ICG's experience? Who are these Ingram people anyway?"

I dunno. 

It's all subjective from an artistic appraisal, but not as much from a historical one. For instance, I liked the red & yellow that Phil W came up with, yet I know many that start retching when I speak fondly of
 those colors. I understand their revulsion to Henry Crown's favourite colors. Nevertheless, it was still a railroady scheme compared to the blue & white. Plus, red locomotives on the Rock Island had a long tradition. Did the RI not paint a 4-8-2 red? RI red acknowledged tradition.

I totally understand that the blue & white colors symbolize the fading sunset of the company as well as the dismissive bluster that the new ruling regime was prone to and the strike that ultimately finished the line. I know that. I don't shy away from that at all.

The colors are certainly historic. They represent a truly painful time in US railroading. The loss of the EL along with the rest of the variety of the northeast, and the painful transition into the Conrail years. The loss of the real Milwaukee Road, and, yes, the Rock Island's demise. Railroading truly went corporate during the ensuing years, except for many of the the short lines that were one
 of the few bright spots of the era.

Tragedy + Time = Comedy

Every time I see a blue hopper or a blue boxcar it inevitably brings a smile to my face. My sons are small, but they know enough to point out the odd Rock Island car that happens to be in a passing train. For the most part, these cars are the blue ones, now so far removed from the RI's implosion that the ROCK markings are showing through the paint that ignominiously hid them upon arrival at their new owner.

Last year, right here in Lemont, I saw a pair of CN GP38-2's switching the chemical plant here in town. As I got closer for a better look at the work taking place, on one of the geeps I saw faded GT paint that clearly showed the outline of the 'big R' on its flanks. The faded paint and rusty lines clearly showed this absolutely unmistakable shape. That brought big grins on. She seemed like an old friend. OK, maybe more like an old
 girlfriend. I hadn't seen her for many years and, though she was certainly changed in many ways, 'married to a different railroad' so to speak, the old girl I knew still shined through just a bit.

Would I welcome the return of these colors on a museum engine? Hate to admit it, but I would. 

I would even donate to help them along.

Tom Klimczak
Lemont, IL
Highball, 655!

----- Original Message ----
From: "No17Eng654 at aol.com" <No17Eng654 at aol.com>
To: lmarkw at yahoo.com; ritslist at simpson.edu
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 8:16:54 PM
Subject: Re: [RITSlist] Fw:  Fw: Rock blue paint

This issue really strikes a sensitive nerve to many of us former Rock 
Island employees.  I personally despise the "bankruptcy blue" scheme.  
I haven't heard too many people speak out publicly about this, but the mood is 
right for a venting.

Most of us employees felt that placing the company in the color of the 
Greek flag for the whims of John Mitros betrayed our hard work and heritage of 
the Rock Island.  It reflected a disjointed and misdirected group of 
outsiders who came in with an attitude that anyone employed prior to their 
entrance were ignorant buffoons.  While some of them were intelligent, many 
of them, including most of senior management, probably excluding Paul Banner, 
felt that they had nothing to lose by imposing their ways on the people and 
the line.  They did some good things, but many stupid things, and 
chased away the experienced and real railroaders in the Company.

They placed so many managers in roles far beyond their experience and 
understanding, and showed absolute distrust and disrespect for the veteran 
managers and employees who wanted nothing more than success to a company 
they truly loved.

Most of us who really cared about the Company were made to feel unwelcome 
and most of us left, knowing that they were going to eventually sink the ship 
with the help of some unbelievably stupid union leaders.  The money wasted 
to protect their political asses was astounding.

The blue paint will always be synonymous with the Ingram bunch and the 
willingness of the unions to sell the employees down the river.

Strong letter to follow. 

Daniel 
R. Sabin,

Delicious ideas to please the pickiest eaters. Watch the video on AOL Living.

Spam

Not spam

Forget previous vote

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