NS's New Executive F's Testing Today

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 9:14 pm

Posted moments ago at RailPictures:

http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?road_number=NS%204270

Dougvv · **Joined:** Sat Aug 21, 2004 10:52 pm **Posts:** 914

Very pretty, I love it. I sort of wish the black was green but . . . :)

4270 is the A
4276 is the first B
427x is the second B

Doug

steamtown observer · **Joined:** Mon Oct 25, 2004 3:11 pm **Posts:** 371

And the NY&GL Erie 833 is somewhere on the road, having left North Philadelphia on Tuesday. The number has been changed and it has the NYGL diamond logo on the nose. Anyone have any pictures?

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

From my featherbrained graphic designer's perspective, this is a tasteful scheme overall. I like how the ditch lights are sunken into the nose. The NS shop has done a marvelous job getting these things in and out, even going so far as to replace the pilot for simple aesthetics. Some nice black and white photos would show these things off rather nicely.

However, as others have noted, the white space seems to be leaving something desired, and the thoroughbred horse and NS logos look a little lonely on the trailing units. It'd be interesting to see what other potential corporate paint schemes were left on the drawing board. Wondering how well the numberboard numerals correspond with the rest of the corporate typography. A mesh of the old and the new, most certainly.

Was white (or "creame") ever a popular color on any locomotive back in the day? Sure they'll keep the windex handy!

There is certainly some invigorated pride in these locomotives.

KL

johnacraft · **Joined:** Thu Aug 26, 2004 2:53 pm **Posts:** 660

nathansixchime wrote:

the white space seems to be leaving something desired, and the thoroughbred horse and NS logos look a little lonely on the trailing units. It'd be interesting to see what other potential corporate paint schemes were left on the drawing board. Wondering how well the numberboard numerals correspond with the rest of the corporate typography. A mesh of the old and the new, most certainly.

Was white (or "creame") ever a popular color on any locomotive back in the day? Sure they'll keep the windex handy!

Kids these days. Got no knowledge of hist'ry. Why, in my day we had F-units that looked purt near just like that!

The black is a bit too tight on the number boards, and the lack of a nose door outline also contributes to the "sparse" feel. But all in all, it's a pretty faithful reproduction of Southern's scheme. (NS CEO Wick Moorman is a Southern man, with time spent in Atlanta and Chattanooga.)

That Railfonts.com Railroad Roman in the number boards is an interesting choice, innit?

JAC

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

johnacraft wrote:

Kids these days. Got no knowledge of hist'ry. Why, in my day we had F-units that looked purt near just like that!

JAC

Ha, you're right! My northern blood has kept me from experiencing the coveted paint scheme history of the 'Sooth ;)

Hope they keep 'er nose cleaner than 6114!

KL

scottychaos · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:26 pm

Nice! :)
I like it!

here is a abbreviated history of the units:

F9A- NS 4270 - ex RPCX - ex MARC - built as B&O F7A 937

F9A- NS 4271 - ex RPCX - ex MARC - built as B&O F7A 947

F7B- NS 4275 - ex RPCX - ex C&NW - built as Chicago Great Western 113D (F7B)

F7B- NS 4276 - ex RPCX - ex C&NW - built as Chicago Great Western 114B (F7B)

RPCX = "Rail Cruise America" - the most recent owners before NS.

full heritage info here:

http://www.nsdash9.com/rosters/4270.html

http://www.nsdash9.com/rosters/4275.html

RR_GraphixGuy · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2007 2:32 pm

nathansixchime wrote:

However, as others have noted, the white space seems to be leaving something desired, and the thoroughbred horse and NS logos look a little lonely on the trailing units. It'd be interesting to see what other potential corporate paint schemes were left on the drawing board. Wondering how well the numberboard numerals correspond with the rest of the corporate typography. A mesh of the old and the new, most certainly.

I thought the same thing. Makes me wonder if the stripes from the logo could have been incorporated more into the design. Yeah, it might be more work, but if the design is right, it might have paid off too.

If they want to show heritage, how about older N&W-style numbers on the number boards (or for that matter, use that style of lettering for everything... ), like that found on the 1218 and 611?

Maybe the horse could have been bigger to eliminate some of that whitespace, or a little more stylized to show some action/strength... oh but wait, we wouldn't want people to think that "F-Unit" means "Ferrari Unit". :-D

Maybe... maybe... maybe... Someday we'll all have our own railroad empires and we can paint the equipment however we want.

scottychaos · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2007 3:32 pm

The "office car special" is underway!
photo taken mere hours ago:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=181578

Anyone know if NS plans to paint the cars to match the new F-unit scheme? or will they stay in Maroon/Red?

Scot

Don C. · **Posted:** Thu Mar 29, 2007 5:46 pm

"Was white (or "creame") ever a popular color on any locomotive back in the day? Sure they'll keep the windex handy!"

Check out photos of CB&Q freight F units (FTs through F7s). Generally the "Q" did a good job of keeping these units (called "greybacks" on the Burlington) clean and presentable. KCS also had totally white units.

Don C.

Tom Cornillie · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2007 11:11 am

The amount of white space on the nose was one of the first things that I noticed as well. I think one or more of the following may help this -

- Spell out "Norfolk Southern" below the horse

- Install two vertical grab irons in the location where they would have been located when this unit had a door.

- Install a studded number-plate below the headlight.

I agree with the comments on the font in the number board.

Also, perhaps the painted side number could be moved to the rear of the unit.

Finally - does anybody here know if NS fabricated a completely new pilot, or if it is second hand.

Tom Cornillie

Dave · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:22 pm

Any wonder mainline railroads abhor railfans?

Say thanks to NS guys, and stop whining about the paint job. A matched set of classic diesels in any paint job is welcome.

dave

RR_GraphixGuy · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:32 pm

Dave wrote:

Any wonder mainline railroads abhor railfans?

Say thanks to NS guys, and stop whining about the paint job. A matched set of classic diesels in any paint job is welcome.

dave

There's railfans, and then there's railfans with art degrees. Some of us went to school to learn to be this picky. :-)

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

Exactly!

Quote:

Any wonder mainline railroads abhor railfans?

I think that's a little unfair. This is a civil discussion on matters of art, design, and *gasp* even history. Nobody here is counting rivets. I see observations and appraisals from interested (and clearly thankful) parties.

If someone redesigns the Coca-Cola logo, there's bound to be critiques and public reaction too.

We was just lookin' like ever'body else!

KL

Ray Reter · **Posted:** Fri Mar 30, 2007 1:58 pm

I think there's a certain elegance to the simplicity of the design. (I wonder if they still teach that in art school.) -- Ray