Amtrak Paint Schemes
Bestowing an extraordinary complexion to the fastest running locomotives and airplanes in America, the paint schemes have been enhancing a physical-beauty of locomotives and other means of fastest transportation in different phases of amtrak paint schemes. Also known as Phases, the amtrak paint schemes have been enhancing an outward beauty of all types of trains and gigantic airplanes as well belonging to United States of America, by carving over their embodiment exceptional combination of colors, marks and designs. Earlier period of Super-liners had credentialed the use of paint schemes without giving any place to Amtrak logo.
Major colors used in different phases of paint schemes were the red, white and blue. Such colors were selected patriotically from the national flag of America. First phase of paint scheme, coming into operation in 1972, changed the outer look of all the locomotives by using a combination of colors. During the first phase of paint scheme the front engine of locomotives were painted with with red color while the pointless arrow was marked on both the sides of locomotive engine as Amtrak logo. All the remaining coaches or passenger cars of the locomotives were left intact of any mark or design under the painting scheme. EMD SDP40F is a live example of the first phase painting scheme. Contemplating on color’s stunning combination for locomotives, airplanes and boats, the paint schemes have been a center of attraction for all in America.
In the second phase the stripe trend was introduced for Amtrak which remained in use for several years. In the second phase of paint scheme the locomotives were painted with two wide stripes of red and blue colors covering the complete outer portion of engine and all the remaining passenger cars or train coaches as well. What has been missing in the second phase locomotives was Amtrak logo, completely ignored by the improved paint schemes. GE P30CH is a live example of second-phase paint scheme painted with an unique combination of wide-striped red and blue colors. There was another thin pin-stripe of white color as well drawn between red and blue stripes.
Coming into existence in 1979, the third-phase paint scheme also earned a fame all over the America. Offering an unique technology introduced the third phase paint scheme still is in use at large due to its exceptionally accomplishing a variety of innovative projects meant for locomotive trains. Though a same combination of red and blue stripes were used in the third phase of paint scheme, a thin white pin-stripe existing between red and blue stripes was removed, thus lending a prime importance to both red and blue colors. The red and blue stripes were of same width covering a protracted area of entire locomotive engine and passenger cars. Prominent locomotives of the third phase paint scheme are Amtrak Genesis locomotives, Acela Express power cars, HHP-8 & AEM7 electrics, and Material Handling Cars.
A change brought in the entity of third phase locomotives, following a paint scheme, was seen only in the description(type, number and sitting capacity) of passenger-cars, painted with bold letters on their respective body. Also known as tri-stripe paint scheme, the third phase paint scheme included Amtrak locomotives, passenger cars, and Material Handling Cars.
Passing through an innovative transition, the paint schemes stepped into fourth phase of paint schemes in 1993. During the fourth phase of paint scheme, the GE Genesis locomotive was introduced. Being a most popular phase of paint schemes, the third phase paint scheme brought innovative change in a look of entire engine and the passenger cars of different locomotives including Am-Fleet and Horizon Fleet, Road Railers, Express Boxcars, Northeast Corridor and Northeast Direct. Painting the locomotives with an eye catching stripes running along the skirts of the coaches, the fourth phase paint scheme had brought a revolutionary change in the field of paint schemes.
P32AC-DM and P42DC Genesis locomotives are the popular locomotives introduced in the fifth phase of paint scheme just after the Acela Express placed on the track as a fastest locomotive. Fifth phase paint scheme had painted the red stripes running down the bottom of locomotives, while the blue stripe ran up the side of locomotives or trains. Creating an Amtrak logo on the locomotives, the fifth phase paint scheme painted Amtrak logo as the Phase V engine.
Now lets have a look at the most prominent locomotive of the sixth phase of paint scheme. The Amfleet was the most prominent passenger car of the sixth phase paint scheme. The conspicuousness of sixth phase paint scheme can be fathomed by usage of Super liner equipment at a large scale. The Surf-liner being the result of unique paint scheme was designed with blue and silver paint scheme. Such a combination of colors was exceptionally different from other Amtrak locomotives belonging to California.
Amtrak Cascades also were given an innovative look through an unique Cascades paint scheme. Amtrak Cascades were much popular in Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Missing the blue streaks on both the sides of engine, the Amtrak Cascades were painted with the sole green color. While the driver’s window was painted with brown color which spelled its magical impact on all the onlookers.
The Pepsi Can paint scheme also had made its greatest effect on all the Amtrak diesel locomotives, popularly known as Dash 8-32BWHs. Looking similar to a third phase paint scheme, the Pepsi Can paint scheme had painted the engines with red and white colors. The stripes ran across the side of the train coaches. Dash 8-32BWH is a live example of Pepsi Can paint scheme. Acela Splotch, being a most popular paint scheme, was based on a pattern of fifth phase paint scheme. The prominent trains painted under such paint scheme are Acela Express introduced in 2000.