Donald Trump and rail

[RichJF]

That's going to be a magnet for graffiti & anti-ICE slogans when in the yard.

 

[Shrop]

Giving a loco Trump's name isn't so bad is it, given his great support for the rail industry?
After all, he's brilliant at everything ... for example he's won the war with Iran 27 times already so far this year

 

[AlterEgo]

One of the Nextgen Acela power cars has been wrapped in a vinyl commemorating USA 250. It's not been done in a tasteful fashion though, it's very cringey. "1776 National Champs", a picture of the Statue of Liberty (something the French should have repossessed by now), and emblazoned down the side "Delivered by President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Sean P. Duffy".

I thought that was a joke until I Googled it. As is so often the case with that administration.

 

[mmh]

Just the other week Union Pacific have unveiled a new livery for one of their diesel locomotives, being painted in a white livery with the USA flag and "Donald Trump" written on the side, ahead of the Artemis III space programme. It's indicated the loco will then do duties to carry the space rocket's components.

https://www.trains.com/pro/freight/class-i/union-pacifics-donald-trump-locomotive-makes-debut/

I think that's very nice indeed. I suspect some on this thread wouldn't approve of the stars and stripes in any format on a train.

I see since I started typing this an Acela power car is next for criticism. I see nothing wrong with that either, but then I don't think a bit of national pride is a bad thing. It's quite likely that political thought is factor in reactions here. If I was American I'd probably be a Republican voter, despite some of Trump's flaws. He's just the incumbent president. I think Starmer also has a silly haircut, but I wouldn't not vote Labour because of it.

In this country we've had liveries honouring the military, monarchy and probably other national institutions. Should we not have?

 

[yorksrob]

I think that's very nice indeed. I suspect some on this thread wouldn't approve of the stars and stripes in any format on a train.

I see since I started typing this an Acela power car is next for criticism. I see nothing wrong with that either, but then I don't think a bit of national pride is a bad thing. It's quite likely that political thought is factor in reactions here. If I was American I'd probably be a Republican voter, despite some of Trump's flaws. He's just the incumbent president. I think Starmer also has a silly haircut, but I wouldn't not vote Labour because of it.

In this country we've had liveries honouring the military, monarchy and probably other national institutions. Should we not have?

We've not had them honouring political leaders though (not living ones anyway).

Can you imagine loco's being named after Tony Blair or Mrs Thatcher !

 

[43096]

I think that's very nice indeed. I suspect some on this thread wouldn't approve of the stars and stripes in any format on a train.

I see since I started typing this an Acela power car is next for criticism. I see nothing wrong with that either, but then I don't think a bit of national pride is a bad thing. It's quite likely that political thought is factor in reactions here. If I was American I'd probably be a Republican voter, despite some of Trump's flaws. He's just the incumbent president. I think Starmer also has a silly haircut, but I wouldn't not vote Labour because of it.

In this country we've had liveries honouring the military, monarchy and probably other national institutions. Should we not have?

It’s the blatant politicisation of it that people are objecting to, not the use of the stars and stripes.

That said, the US does over use the flag, which rather suggests a lack of confidence in who they are.

 

[81A]

I think that's very nice indeed. I suspect some on this thread wouldn't approve of the stars and stripes in any format on a train.

I see since I started typing this an Acela power car is next for criticism. I see nothing wrong with that either, but then I don't think a bit of national pride is a bad thing. It's quite likely that political thought is factor in reactions here. If I was American I'd probably be a Republican voter, despite some of Trump's flaws. He's just the incumbent president. I think Starmer also has a silly haircut, but I wouldn't not vote Labour because of it.

In this country we've had liveries honouring the military, monarchy and probably other national institutions. Should we not have?

I am 100% in favour of patriotic liveries when applied tastefully and classily. The problem with much current US "patriotic" display etc is that it is a bit cringe and tacky (and honouring a president who has not been very successful in his key objectives so far). Much the same as I would favour naming a train after, say Lord Nelson with a tasteful union flag inspired livery but not after, say Boris Johnson/Keir Starmer with AI putting awkward union flags all over the side.

 

[Krokodil]

I think that's very nice indeed. I suspect some on this thread wouldn't approve of the stars and stripes in any format on a train.

As it happens, the stars and stripes doesn't lend itself to being tastefully applied to objects like the Union Flag does. Note how well a Red Arrows Hawk carries the Union Flag but the Thunderbirds barely make a nod to the flag and the Blue Angels don't bother trying.

Now if you want to see a flag really well applied to a locomotive, see the Colorado Pacific Railroad's locos. Now they look good in their state colours!

I see since I started typing this an Acela power car is next for criticism. I see nothing wrong with that either, but then I don't think a bit of national pride is a bad thing.

Have you actually seen the power car in question?
Here's a link so that you can view it for yourself:

Amtrak's Freedom 250 Acela train makes inaugural ride from Washington DC to Philadelphia

Amtrak's Freedom 250 Acela train is wrapped in a patriotic decal in honor of America's 250th anniversary.

6abc.com

The US was always going to be a bit cringey about this - that's their style - so you almost expect the "1776 national champs" and "freedom 250". Slapping "Delivered by President Donald J. Trump and Secretary Sean P. Duffy" along the bodyside is something no other administration would have done.

We've not had them honouring political leaders though (not living ones anyway).

Winston Churchill did get a Bulleid Pacific named after him (though as a wartime leader he was popular across party lines). Palmerston at the Ffestiniog Railway is named after the PM who was in office when the loco was built. The LBSCR named one after Gladstone too.

 

[yorksrob]

Winston Churchill did get a Bulleid Pacific named after him (though as a wartime leader he was popular across party lines). Palmerston at the Ffestiniog Railway is named after the PM who was in office when the loco was built. The LBSCR named one after Gladstone too.

I hadn't realised Sir Winston had one named after him while he was still alive. As you say though, he wasn't any old PM.

 

[AlterEgo]

I think that's very nice indeed. I suspect some on this thread wouldn't approve of the stars and stripes in any format on a train.

I see since I started typing this an Acela power car is next for criticism. I see nothing wrong with that either, but then I don't think a bit of national pride is a bad thing. It's quite likely that political thought is factor in reactions here. If I was American I'd probably be a Republican voter, despite some of Trump's flaws. He's just the incumbent president. I think Starmer also has a silly haircut, but I wouldn't not vote Labour because of it.

In this country we've had liveries honouring the military, monarchy and probably other national institutions. Should we not have?

Nothing wrong with the concept, lots can go wrong with the execution. The Acela one is cringe and a barometer of bad taste. The white loco is actually not bad at all.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

I'm not sure that being a corrupt paedophile rapist who is embezzling billions of dollars while causing inflation to rocket by bombing Iran is quite comparable to "a silly haircut" as flaws go.

Interesting that one can make unsubstantiated statements such as this, presumably based on Twitter/X posts which of course are a reliable source of information. I wonder if similar such posts about British politicians would survive the moderators. But it seems any slur against the US and its president are fair game here.

Although I do agree having the Presidents' name on the Acela wrap is cringeworthy. I would feel the same if it were Biden's or Harris' name.

 

[yorksrob]

Interesting that one can make unsubstantiated statements such as this, presumably based on Twitter/X posts which of course are a reliable source of information. I wonder if similar such posts about British politicians would survive the moderators. But it seems any slur against the US and its president are fair game here.

Although I do agree having the Presidents' name on the Acela wrap is cringeworthy. I would feel the same if it were Biden's or Harris' name.

Well, he's certainly causing a lot of inflation here and in the US due to his war of choice in Iran.

His direct support of insurrectionists who attempted to overthrow the elected government in 2020 (both by pardoning them as well as attempting to set up a slush fund) looks pretty corrupt to me (if not outright treasonous).

 

[FormerBritInMe]

Well, he's certainly causing a lot of inflation here and in the US due to his war of choice in Iran.

His direct support of insurrectionists who attempted to overthrow the elected government in 2020 (both by pardoning them as well as attempting to set up a slush fund) looks pretty corrupt to me (if not outright treasonous).

Many people have been mislead over the so-called "insurrection" of January 6 but this is not the time nor the place to discuss it. Essentially it was a manufactured event by the Left designed to discredit conservatives and it succeeded.

 

[yorksrob]

Many people have been mislead over the so-called "insurrection" of January 6 but this is not the time nor the place to discuss it. Essentially it was a manufactured event by the Left designed to discredit conservatives and it succeeded.

The cool aid is definitely flowing.

The conservatives don't need others to discredit them.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

I just find it amazing this criticism of US politics and leaders from Britain of all places, given the sorry state that my former homeland has become.

 

[yorksrob]

I just find it amazing this criticism of US politics and leaders from Britain of all places, given the sorry state that my former homeland has become.

For all our problems, I'd still rather live here than a kleptocracy seemingly governed by and for dodgy corporations and fascist tech bro's.

Particularly when we have clueless slimy pillocks like Vance weighing in on our domestic issues.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

Particularly when we have clueless slimy pillocks like Vance weighing in on our domestic issues.

Hmm, Pot meet Kettle.

I should note that contrary to the opinions Expressed above I am not a kool-aid drinking, MAGA hat wearing supporter of the President. I was against the war in Iran and am particularly concerned about the lack of support of passenger rail by the administration. However there are important issues for which the change of administration in 2024 was a breath of fresh air. I realize it is hard for those living elsewhere only getting news filtered by their domestic news organizations that have their own agendas to see what is really going on. Against this, the fact that we have locomotives with silly wraps that aggrandize people in the administration seem trivial by comparison.

 

[Krokodil]

I hadn't realised Sir Winston had one named after him while he was still alive. As you say though, he wasn't any old PM.

Yes, in 1946 his name was applied to a Battle of Britain class loco, along with the names of various senior RAF officers, airfields, squadrons and aircraft. The loco was later used to haul his funeral train and is now preserved in the NRM.

Interesting that one can make unsubstantiated statements such as this

Which bit was untrue?

Corrupt? Have you seen the amount of insider trading which has been going on? And how it's now possible to bribe your way out of serious criminal convictions if you've got a few million to donate?

Paedophile? He's not exactly been subtle about this one. He boasted about perving on teenage girls in the changing rooms of the pageant he bought.

Rapist? Adjudicated as such in court.

Embezzlement? What did you think that the slush fund was for?

Inflation rocketing? When Biden left office (having cleaned up the mess caused by 45) the inflation rate was 3.0%. It's now 4.2% and showing no sign of slowing.

Bombing Iran? You don't seriously think that I invented this after perusing Xitter do you? Not that I'd go anywhere near that cesspit anyway...

 

[yorksrob]

Hmm, Pot meet Kettle.

I should note that contrary to the opinions Expressed above I am not a kool-aid drinking, MAGA hat wearing supporter of the President. I was against the war in Iran and am particularly concerned about the lack of support of passenger rail by the administration. However there are important issues for which the change of administration in 2024 was a breath of fresh air. I realize it is hard for those living elsewhere only getting news filtered by their domestic news organizations that have their own agendas to see what is really going on. Against this, the fact that we have locomotives with silly wraps that aggrandize people in the administration seem trivial by comparison.

Good for you - and I don't get all my information filtered from news outlets. I see a lot directly from Americans themselves.

You're entitled to the silly wraps (although I like the one with the statue of liberty on it).

I envy Biden's inflation reduction act. It seemed like a sensible way to address the problems that all Western societies are facing. Unfortunately it couldn't compete with the price of eggs.

Aside from the American domestic politics, everything Trump does emboldens our primary enemy, Russia. That's what's really going on.

 

[FormerBritInMe]

Aside from the American domestic politics, everything Trump does emboldens our primary enemy, Russia. That's what's really going on.

Here in the US I see China as the primary enemy. Russia may be more of a threat to Europe, although given how they have been stalemated in the Ukraine it hasn't exactly shown off their military prowess. Maybe more of a threat economically since they can shut off gas supplies etc.

 

[yorksrob]

Here in the US I see China as the primary enemy. Russia may be more of a threat to Europe, although given how they have been stalemated in the Ukraine it hasn't exactly shown off their military prowess. Maybe more of a threat economically since they can shut off gas supplies etc.

Russia is a very real military threat to all of Europe.

China is a longer term economic threat to yourselves as a super power. But then a sensible President in that situation wouldn't go out of their way to alienate their allies in the Pacific region.

 

[Ailsa_Craig]

I managed to catch up with a BNSF employee appreciation special at Vancouver WA last week. I also agree with comments upthread about the bias against Trump, particularly the BBC

 

[SHD]

We've not had them honouring political leaders though (not living ones anyway).

Can you imagine loco's being named after Tony Blair or Mrs Thatcher !

There's something almost beautifully grotesque to these businesses pandering to the Stalinist-like Trumpian personality cult. On the railway side, there's still some margin though - Stalin had a whole class of locomotives names after him.

 

[yorksrob]

There's something almost beautifully grotesque to these businesses pandering to the Stalinist-like Trumpian personality cult. On the railway side, there's still some margin though - Stalin had a whole class of locomotives names after him.

I guess both examples are a result of having too much power constitutionally placed with one individual.