Comments on: CN 2514 leads 531 across the Welland River and out of Port Robinson on their way to Fort Erie and Buffalo, with interchange traffic for CN’s American counterparts. I went down this way hoping to catch 562, but it was long gone by the time I got there after work. I later came across it at Southern Yard, where it was preparing for a trip to Port Colborne.

By: Stuart Streit

Stuart Streit — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 22:08:17 +0000

In the mid 1990′s, mostly driven by environmental restrictions, paint suppliers began to move towards water-based epoxy’s. States and, in some examples, local municipalities began to introduce so called ‘Volatile Organic Compound’ (VOC) atmospheric limits. Traditional solvent based alkyd type paints contribute to VOC levels and some of the more durable urethane type paints are even less ‘environmentally friendly’. While water-based epoxy’s no doubt performed well in the lab and in tests, transitioning to them in industry was problematic. New high-tech mixing/spraying equipment was required, different application techniques were needed and even the ambient environment of the spray booth needed to be controlled; high humidity is an enemy to the process. To further complicate matters, coating application moved to a DTM process; Direct To Metal, i.e. no primer. Water-based paint chemistry is very demanding and even the desired colour can contribute to the complexity. Black is easy, anything else, not so much. Desired colour can even impact decal adhesion. Add this all up, and you have a very difficult task to accomplish.

By: Joseph Bishop

Joseph Bishop — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 13:35:03 +0000

Pretty sure the only good looking 2500 is actually CN 2500 which got repainted a while back.

By: Larry Parks

Larry Parks — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 13:28:27 +0000

Thanks for the input guys. The paint reminds me of my brothers Delta 88 from when I was a teenager. Paint coming off the roof, trunk lid and engine hood, just leaving the primer behind.

By: MrDan

MrDan — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 11:05:49 +0000

Must be something with the paint GE used in the early-mid 90′s, like a lot of the old ATSF GE warbonnets (or “fadebonnets”) from that era that ended up looking pretty sad. The paint GM used on units from the same or earlier eras (CN SD60F, ATSF SD60M) seems to have fared a lot better.

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 04:59:18 +0000

Just takes the patience of a saint some days haha

By: DoctaPinklaces

DoctaPinklaces — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 03:50:38 +0000

Pfft this isn’t from Niagara, Niagara isn’t worth shooting;)

By: jknott86

jknott86 — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 00:46:18 +0000

Thanks Larry, and thanks Keith for answering. I wasnt entirely sure, though I’ve seen quite a few that look just like this as well.

By: Stuart Streit

Stuart Streit — Sat, 06 Jul 2019 00:36:04 +0000

Water-based paint!

By: Larry Parks

Larry Parks — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 19:02:28 +0000

Nice photo James. Neat looking bridge.
So, what is the story with the 2500′s? I took a photo of the 2501 last year and it’s cab was equally as sad as this one.