Every Amtrak Anniversary Livery
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- When Amtrak Celebrates their birthday, they do so with a can of paint! For both the 40th and 50th anniversaries, Amtrak painted several of their locomotives into heritage schemes to commemorate the liveries of the past. Recently, I completed my challenge of filming every single one of these liveries. Today’s video is the result!
Featuring footage of locomotive number 174 in its brand-new Phase VII livery!
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Chapters
0:00 Introduction
0:30 A brief history of Amtrak
1:32 Different kinds of liveries
2:25 National liveries
2:44 A brief PSA
3:14 An overview of the Phases
6:45 40th Anniversary Heritage Locomotives
7:19 P42DC #130 “Phase II”
7:29 P42DC #145 “Phase III”
7:44 P42DC #184 & #164 “Phase IV”
9:18 50th Anniversary Heritage Locomotives
9:35 ALC-42 #301 “Day 1”
10:31 P42DC #161 “Phase I”
12:28 P42DC #160 “Phase III Pepsi Can”
14:02 P42DC #46 “Phase V”
15:00 P42DC #108 “Phase VI”
15:37 P42DC “100” Midnight Blue”
17:04 The Future: Phase VII - Auta a dopravní prostředky
The Pepsi can colours are my favorite on both the B32-8WH and the P42.
They are definitely iconic
Man, Amtrak has some of the most beautiful paint schemes I've ever seen. Even on their state-supported routes and the commuter rails operated by Amtrak under contract, such as the Metrolink in Southern California, the MARC Penn Line in Maryland, and the Shore Line East in Connecticut. (Those commuter rails I mentioned are not fully part of Amtrak). I wish Amtrak has had already more support for its routes outside the Northeast Corridor and stretches of track in Michigan and Southern California over the years.
The funny thing is, apparently 174 was painted like that because Beech Grove is out of Phase V paint
I heard the same thing
Dang, they really ran out of paint
174=accidental Amtrak heritage unit
@@lukestrainsandotherstuff174 isn’t even an official heritage unit it’s pretty much just a normal unit
They ran out of Phase V paint because they plan to transition to Phase VII for everything that gets new paint/striping. Realistically, the only paint they need for V that wouldn't be needed for VII is silver. According to a Railfan and Railroad article, 106 should be coming of Beech Grove soon with Phase V and will be the last Phase V P42 ever repainted. 82 is also at Beech Grove getting Phase VII, and every P42 after that will also get Phase VII. Later this year, the older cars will also starting VII, presumably when the supplies for Phase VI run out for them.
Very impressive research you did here Thom. I really like the phase 3 livery with the very bright red, white and blue stripes.
That one seems to be a favorite!
My favorite is the Pepsi scheme in the P42 and Dash 8 locomotives
Wow, really nice to see the difference between all those anniversaries locomotive paintings, thanks
You’re welcome! Don’t they look nice?
Yes.... Hope some day I see them all too... Maybe I'll see some of those locomotives on my California Zephyr this next April, from Denver to Reno.
Thanks for this, as ever I get an education. Picking a favorite, Phase 1. I think the start of Amtrak running was known as the "rainbow era" because the locos and passenger cars had the different liveries of their old railroads.
Yes, it was called the rainbow era!
The ending teared me up, beautiful.
Thanks for this fascinating journey into the history of Amtrak liveries. I totally agree about the Phase VII. I think it will look great and is a bold new look for Amtrak. I've only seen one of the heritage units one time. It was 108 in Phase VI waiting out of service at Albany-Renssalaer while I was waiting to catch a P32AC-DM hauled Empire Service in January 2023.
I love the years worth of commitment that you have done! I've been working on a similar project like this, and I am very confident this video will stick up for generations to come!
I hope many people see it and are inspired!
I’ve actually been able to step inside locomotive 108. One of the ones painted for Amtraks 50th in 2021.
I was on the eastbound Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia. I got chatting to one of the conductors and they caught on to that I’m a big rail fan.
So when they did the locomotive switch at 30th Street station. The conductor told me to come with them and I couldn’t record anything. And they let me climb up the stairs of locomotive 108 for about 30 seconds to see inside the cab before they took it away. Because of course they switch it to electric to head up to New York City.
Definitely something once in a lifetime I’ll never forget
Wow! That’s so cool. About 15 years ago when I was a kid, an engineer in the Netherlands let me look inside the cab of an old 1200 series locomotive.
what was also really interesting on that trip on the Pennsylvanian, was we were delayed by three hours in Johnstown, due to a derailment on the Norfork Southern
A lot of people ended up, ditching the train and renting cars and taking taxis. All I did is I DoorDash myself breakfast from a local diner. It was really good. Luckily the train did start rolling again.
Other people had connections to make. But I was spending the night in Philadelphia so like what do I care. But as you know, being a fellow rail fan. The delays make the story and traveling experience is that much more memorable!
My favorite of them all was the as-delivered Phase 3 on the P40s with the fading stripe towards the rear of the locomotive. I wish they brought it back as a heritage livery because it would definitely make the P42s feel new again
7:37 You’ve got to be kidding me. A three car Amtrak long-distance train? What are we doing here?
Yep. One coach one diner one sleeper. No wonder I can never book a ticket
It's great that Amtrak has had employees over all these years that care enough to even do all of this design work and make it happen! I've only ridden the Capitol Corridor (for over 15 years) and we were just happy for the new locomotives with cleaner burning engines and less smoke.
The new chargers are definitely about as clean as you can get with diesel
What a thorough and fascinating job you did on this unusual topic!
Most railfans I know disparage Amtrak--"not a real railroad" etc. But your coverage shows that Amtrak is just as real as any other railroad--they own equipment, trackage, operate trains, and so on.
Having said that, I have to say that their various color schemes don't seem to have reached the classic status of any of the best of the streamline era, such as Santa Fe, SP, or New York Central. Or even my personal favorite, Chicago and North Western. Maybe you're right, that getting away from silver will be an improvement. We'll see.
Anyway, great blog as usual!
Awesome video Thom! Love it when train companies paint locomotives into heritage liveries. Luckily here in the UK we had the class 43 HSTs at GWR and CrossCountry trains painted into heritage liveries. My favourite was the Intercity Swallow livery, as it's what I grew up with in the 1990s
I love it too. It makes everything more interesting
Oh wow! I saw the Phase V 50th anniversary one and had no idea it was one of eight! I didn't give it much thought, so I can't remember if I saw it in the Chicago yard near Union station or on the tracks during boarding. I simply thought, cool. That Day 1 scheme thought with the Helvetica variant typeface - simply stunning.
Thank you for this superb video ! The Amtrak Genesis loco Is far and away my favourite passenger diesel, and whatever livery they wear, they look so good, and really imperious ! It must be their height, for my favourite train watching place at Alexandria Virginia is probably the best place for me to get up close. I really like the new Phase VII livery, and glad to hear that the surviving Genesis diesels that are to overhauled and repainted, will wear that livery. Thanks so much !
The Pepsi Can color scheme my favorite I remember watching that video you made about it 2 years ago coming out of Chicago’s legendary Union Station.
True, I forgot I’d shared that one already
I love these heritage units! My favourite is probably the "Pepsi Can" livery. And although it's not Amtrak I also love some of Metro-North's heritage liveries.
The Pepsi Can Is My Favorite!
It's my mom's favorite too!
I had to laugh at the “bloody nose livery”. A funny nickname but apt. 😂
Thank you for this awesome and deeply historically researched video about all of the heritage units!!! It’s truly awesome how many different paint schemes there have been!!!
You put a lot of work into this one. Very good!
Thank you!
The national rail operator in my country decided that they will paint all of their trains with red white and black. They did allow the regions to paint their commuter trains with some other colors to. Some actually painted their trains with completely different colors. The ones that painted their trains with completely different colors are the areas with to many trains so their trains run in other areas making a huge mess with colors. You don’t want to ride these trains anyway because they have the hardest seats you will ever see on a train.
Nice job catching all those Amtrak heritage units! I’ve seen as many of them as I could and has never been too many. I don’t live by the Amtrak anymore so that’s why I can’t see too many of them. I can get lucky whenever I’m traveling to a destination that has them such as Chicago, where I’m originally from, Atlanta, where I live a couple hours away from, and I have a trip planned for Arlington, VA in mid April so anywhere there and the DC area I can try to find some special Amtraks when I’m there.
6:37 P7 is my favorite too
I like that Midnight Blue! Also Day 1, Phase 3, the Phase 6 locomotive, and I definitely like the Phase 7!
All great picks!
Phase VII livery does look nice. Unfortunate we won't see it as much out here in California, but the CA and Surfliner liveries do have their own charms.
I do like the variety that exists in California
Enjoyed it, love Amtrak, thanks for sharing
Thanks!
Thom, this is great … what a review! That’s a lot of hard work and we appreciate it. I’ll be sharing this one even more widely than usual. Those pacing shots are worthy of special note. Thank you.
I really appreciate this!
@@Thom-TRA Thom, if I may: I truly respect your approach to reporting and sharing. I think it’s at a product of your Dutch heritage and your Japanese education, but it’s you. Your precision, accuracy, attention to detail and care in presentation are singular in quality. Following you, Lindsey - and Bear - is a joy and a blessing. Please keep up the caring work and rest assured that your TRA family out here in the wild thank you for what you do. Rich, KCMO.
@@tokugawa12able thank you for these kind words, Rich. After a long day, they brought tears to my eyes.
Awesome work Thom! Informative and entertaining, thank you!
Thank you so much!
I loved the iconic red white and blue on the super liner cars too they were very beautiful as well as when the Sightseer Lounge cars said the lounge cafe label on it too 🤩😍❤️
46 was designated as a 50th Anniversary Locomotive because it was supposed to haul the Presidential Inaugural train from Wilmington to Washington: Biden is the 46th President, so that locomotive was chosen. However, due to the events of January 6, 2021, the special was canceled for security reasons.
Ah, I never knew this!
Long bridge park is reall a great spot.
It’s one of my favorites
They painted a gp 38 in Phase 7 paint scheme
I know I’d love to see it someday
Thom, excellent video, good job, I like this!!!
Thank you very much!
Vey interesting, as usual. Great work!
Thank you!
Great video as always! I'm partial to the Phase V livery as they are the ones I see the most however the new Phase VII livery on the Siemens Chargers are really nice as well.
I thought for sure I'd mentioned I saw #130 at Alexandria, VA just before New Year's. Maybe that comment got deleted. Honestly, I thought it was in Phase 3, but it was really Phase 2. Now I remember the difference.
Thank you, this is actually the first decent explanation of the American 'Epochs' I've seen - trust you're feeling that rewarding glow from a job well done! \m/
It feels like a huge accomplishment!
The Pepsi livery always makes me chuckle. They took an obscure and rare livery only meant to be used for their yard or maintenance work, and made it a common knowledge now.
It just looks really good
Thom, great video! ( miss you & the Mrs. In Chi-town!❤) the very last one honoring the overnight employees or the Bloody Nose
We’re planning a trip back later this spring!
Oh. And as for the P42s in N scale by Kato, I do have 46 in Phase V as it was the first one released.
Great video. Very informative.
Appreciate it
Brilliant video sir.
Thank you!
Love the shots from long bridge. I live near there and its a great place for trainspotting!
It is an awesome place. Can’t wait for the new bridge.
Great job!
Thom! I'm so glad you were able to make this video! So content-rich and as an Amtrak railfan, I loved it and this is definitely one of your videos that I will be coming back to over and over. You knew I would be watching this and commenting as well hehe.
Some things that I loved that stood out to me.
#1. You were able to recognize 301 (my favorite unit, as you can tell) and spend some time highlighting it.
#2. You chasing (in a way) the CL from your Metro train at 8:06. This would have been so fun to experience chasing one train from another train!
#3. I'm glad you were able to get the dash 8 at 18:55.
Such a really great and memorable video to me!
I was waiting for your response! Where did you get your shot of the 301?
@@Thom-TRA The one in the pic was at Pittsburgh station. I also got it in Chicago at Roosevelt Rd.
The Pepsi Can Phase lll is my favorite!
These are my favorite trains to go after let alone ride on if I’m town
Always a good day when TRA makes a video
Today is a good day
you're missing one. although it's debatable, Amtrak ACS-64 662 was wrapped throughout the end of 2021 and much of 2022 in a Phase III Train Sim World 2 Ad, but it utilized the AEM-7 variant of Phase III with the stripes at the bottom of the locomotive rather than in the middle and it wore the Amtrak 50 logo on both sides. I wish they did more electric special units because all we have here is boring phase V and 642 which isn't even rare because the pool of electrics is small and has a small range.
also, 46, 100, 108, 130, and 145 are equipped with ACSES train control which means that you can only see them east of Chicago now since only a handful of P42s are equipped with it for service in the northeast. Normally they run out of Philadelphia, New Haven, Albany, and Boston but can also run out of DC as well. likewise, 160, 161, 164, 174, and 203 do not have it and Washington, DC is the only eastern base that they operate out of.
I don’t count that one because really it’s an ad wrap. And it wasn’t on Amtrak’s official list of heritage locomotives.
Great work on the video! I didnt even know the pepsi can livery was even a thing untill this video! 😅
It’s definitely a fun livery!
I'm amazed, confused, and intrigued to understand the logistics of how they route locomotives - I'd figure they'd just run out & backs (maybe just special liveries are rotated, or it's based maintenance cycles?)
Fav is either Pepsi can or Midnight Blue.
Most destinations have yards so it is very much based on maintenance and availability. I know Chicago is a regular locomotive swap because of how they turn trains around there.
I have to say I wasn't initially sure about Phase VI on the ALC-42's, but Phase VII is a big improvement and I've grown to like it even more now that we've seen it on a P42 and one of the Amtrak GP38's.
Phase VII is just a more natural look than Phase VI
@@Thom-TRA The one thing that Phase VI has over Phase VII is the silver at the back of the ALC-42's which make it a nice transition to the stainless steel finish of the long distance fleet. Phase VII is still a better livery and I'm curious to see how it will translate onto the current rolling stock, especially the Superliners.
@@sargentrowell81 I know, right? Will the whole cars be blue? Or just the stripes? So many questions
@@sargentrowell81 I wonder if any of the Amtrak F40PH NPCUs will get the Phase 6 and 7 paint schemes?
@@maas1208 Well, I would think they'll probably have to remain in service longer than the P42's since the full sets that will have cab cars won't be entering service until probably the end of the decade at the earliest. I would imagine that any currently in the Phase V livery may get that treatment as well, but it's hard to say since some of them have specific markings for the routes they serve like The Downeaster and The Cascades.
I enjoyed that video👍👍
I’m glad!
I've been seeing a couple of the phase 7 chargers at the Union Station yard in Chicago on my Metra commutes. No Genesis Phase 7 yet as of this week.
There’s only 1 out yet, but be on the lookout!
Well I didn't see the Empire Service Variant in the post but you definitely put it in here. The modern Phase III looks great if you get it at the right angle and it's my favorite along with the phase VII due to its vibrant look.
It’s a nice paint scheme but to be fair it is common and is more of a empire service brand paint scheme. Like you said it looks really nice!
Yep, the posts usually just reveal a fraction of the video to get people excited
14:32 I find it really bizarre how the Phase V 50th anniversary P42 has a sharper swoop up of the blue at the end of the unit compared to the other Phase V P42's, seems like such a weird change to make
got to ride behind 301 on amtrak 59 last year in may sadly it was still developing issues as the run from memphis to Newbern took 4 hours so we could reset the software in the train they parked it in fulton and slapped on a CN motor for the rest of the ride to chicago
The Phase 7 Paint is like the future of Amtrak
Absolutely
You need to come to Ashland VA for train days on April 27th
Sounds fun
I was on that train led by 161 on January 15th 2024. I did a day trip to Frederick’s burg, I caught a Picture of 174 at Rockville on its first run witn gen vii .
@@MDTASHA0926 that’s cool I spotted you!
Now who is responsible for repairing the ALC Charger units? Do they get repairs by Beech Grove as well? Or do those go back to Siemens?
I’m not actually sure
Good video! Here's a interesting idea for a future video: do a history of the EJ&E railroad!
Maybe someday!
You did a great job on the Video , My favourite are the Superliners Phase 5 , not a big fan of the new sleepers .. Cheers Mate from AU.
Interesting. I wonder what the paint budget is. Could that money be put to better use? Question: You mentioned the P32 running from NYP to Albany. My understanding is that it is a somewhat lower power version of the P42 that can pick up 3rd rail power on the Metro North tracks. But another channel claimed it was not compatible with that 3rd rail system. Which is true? Also, what does Amtrak use on services that run beyond Albany, such as the Maple Leaf and Lakeshore Limited?
It’s not compatible with Metro north due to the position of the collector shoe. Regular P42s take over beyond Albany.
Also, the paint budget is so minuscule compared to regular operating costs. It’s a good marketing trick as well, so probably makes them some money.
@@Thom-TRA Thanks!
I wonder if any of the Amtrak F40PH NPCUs will get the Phase 6 and 7 paint schemes?
Since they’re converting P42s and HHP8s to NPCUs so I doubt it
Where is the ACS-64 in the phase 3 (AEM-7 version) livery? It was sponsored by TSW3, but it was an official 50th anniversary unit.
I don’t count that one. I consider it an ad wrap, and it wasn’t on any official Amtrak lists. That, and it only lasted a few months.
I don't like how the 174 has the entire top front red. The ALC-42s on the other hand are painted black immediately above and below the windshield, which I think looks a lot better.
I was expecting people to like the older liveries more for some reason
Did you know Amtrak had 2 versions of there Phase V schemes on there P42s I know this because I collect N scale models of them from Kato. The first variant had a much lighter Blue with more Amtrak lettering. Today’s Phase V variant is now Darker Blue. Even though the rolling stock still is colored in Phase IV variants on them changed. As an example the Bi Level Superliners had the word “Superliner” on them. Eventually Amtrak got rid of that and the Black Amtrak titles at the end of each car and replaced them with the Amtrak Blue logo near the doors of the Superliners and on the sides of the Amfleets. I’ve also collected the 4 out of 5 40th Anniversary N scale P42s. It’s sad that 66 (Phase II), 156 (Phase I), and never made in N scale P40 822 were scrapped after severe wrecks. Well as we all know P42 130 now wears the Phase 2 Scheme. And P42 145 in Phase III is still around. Even though 184 was painted black to Phase V and replaced with 164 I noticed 164 doesn’t have anything written about an Amtrak anniversary. Even though Kato came out in N scale with all the 50th anniversary P42s I still have yet to get them. Because when Kato released there N scale ALC 42s I was more hooked on them. They’re the coolest locomotives Siemens ever made. Who doesn’t like those European streamlined noses. I have only 3 Kato N scale ALC 42s. No.s 300, 301 (Day 1) and 302 that came in a set with 3 Superliners. I have yet to include Phase VII. But will Kato and Bachmann, because Bachmann is releasing N scale ALC 42s with DCC and Sound. Wish me luck on purchasing all of these.
I just saw the saw the 174 in downers grove, Il on march 1, 2024 2:22 pm on the southwest chief
Nice! Means it’s heading out west
My personal favorite is unit 161
I like the phase 7 but also the midnight. Midnight barely edges out 7
Nice video...although i thinkk the Viewliner Is are techically Ph VI or Ph IVb...because it has the current logo and a different shade of blue than Ph IV
Don’t take it from me, take it from Amtrak themselves. And the blue is darker than the blue on other cars.
WDTX 1407 had me gaslit so bad that there was a phase vii gp38 because there was one really good edit a bunch of terrible ones.
I used to think that I didn't care for the Genesis locomotives, but then I started seeing them in Phase VII paint and I realized that I just didn't like Phase V. 😂
When will phase 7 be on all P42s?
Probably never as more and more get scrapped
Wait… they started scrapping them?!
@@trainswow2 yeah, that’s what the new Siemens locomotives are for
Yes I know the ALC42s are replacing them but I didn’t know they were scrapping them.
@@trainswow2 some will remain, some will be converted into NPCUs
This video did not phase (faze) me.
Then you are on the right track
Phase 7 no heritage, new.
Grammar bad, you.
First
As an European, i feel like this took way too long! All of
The previous liveries looked way too old...
What took too long?
@@Thom-TRA the new liveries.. the old ones, in my opinion, look like aluminium with 2 stripes! They're finally adding actual color
Not gonna lie, most Amtrak schemes are decent, but the one I absolutely despise is phase V, the most bland, boring and uninspiring livery on any Railroad if you ask me, I’m happy it’s being retired, Phase 7 on the other hand, now that’s an epic livery and my new favorite Amtrak Livery, I’m overjoyed the remaining old equipment is being repainted into Phase 7, I absolutely Love Phase 7
It’s even more gross on the Acela, since there’s just no blue on the roof of the passenger cars
@@Thom-TRA Next time you’re in the LA area can we meet up trackside somewhere?
@@IronHorsefan1869 sure! Gotta plan a trip someday