[RITSlist] Fw: Fw: Rock blue paint

Thu Feb 21 22:03:23 CST 2008

Yes, the Rock Island had a red boiler on a Mountain.

D Long

  _____  

From: ritslist-bounces at thunder.simpson.edu
[mailto:ritslist-bounces at thunder.simpson.edu] On Behalf Of tom klimczak
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2008 9:37 PM
To: RITS LIST
Subject: [RITSlist] Fw: Fw: Rock blue paint

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,

  _____  

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