LK&O

A Railroad with Relevance

Painting NS Veterans Locomotive

Written By: Alan - Nov• 10•12

 

Norfolk Southern is placing a one-of-a-kind “Veterans Locomotive” into freight service on its system to honor people who have served in the military and reserves, especially those employed by the railroad. Painting the Veterans Locomotive involved 26 NS employees, two of whom are veterans, using 66 gallons of primer and paint over a 112-hour period.

Over the past six years, Norfolk Southern has hired some 1,300 veterans, and today 14 percent of the total NS workforce — more than 4,200 employees — are veterans and members of the National Guard and Reserves. More information about working at Norfolk Southern can be found at NorfolkSouthern-veterans.jobs.

Ever wondered how a locomotive is painted? Check out this time lapse video of the Juniata Paint Shop in Altoona, Pa., and how they worked their magic to create the Veterans Locomotive.

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3 Comments

  1. Scott Lindquist says:

    That was great!! Thanks for shairing Alan.

  2. john o gerlach says:

    Alan,
    Would you care to advise/comment? I want to model large steel mill bldgs and skyscrapers so, hot large should I make spray booth and still be practical in terms of purchasing a fan (400&+cfm) , using a 4″ vent hose /dryer type set up directly on outer painted house wall.
    Also, would be easiest to attach fan to center of rear…is that OK or is it better to ” a down draft to floor of booth? Would like to use an adequate filter set up. Would appreciate any comment you may offer. John O Gerlach 262 930 7436

  3. alan says:

    John,
    There are many considerations to design of a safe paint booth. I am not qualified to make such recommendations. With that said, it seems doubtful you will want to paint entire assemblies at once so your booth doesn’t have to be huge. The painting, much like model construction, would be done in many sub-assemblies. Paasche makes a suitable low cost unit:
    http://www.paascheairbrush.com/products/spray-booths/hobby-spray-booths/HB-16-13
    Notice they say it is not to be used with hazardous or flammable materials. That is their way of skirting the many regulations (and liabilities) governing actual spray booths. If you don’t want to buy one then you could clone their design. However you do it make sure the fan motor itself is not in the exhaust air stream as that is a potential fire hazard. A PSC blower like this would be a good choice: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/DAYTON-PSC-Blower-1TDR3?cm_sp=EN-_-L2-_-TopSellers&cm_vc=FFTS
    A crossflow with fan at rear is really the only practical design for a hobby booth since it will be an open face design.
    Good luck!

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