The Juniata Paint Shop
The names Altoona and Juniata have always been significant in the locomotive repair industry since PRR days. Probably the most noticable display of Juniata's fine workmanship, particularly in terms of quality and durability, is the work done by the paint shop personnel. After an April 1981 fire destroyed a neighboring building to the existing paint shop, Conrail seized an apportinity and built a brand new, modern, state-of-the-art, paint shop next to the former paint shop. Completed in 1982, this new paint shop has enabled Conrail, and now Norfolk Southern, to keep durable coats of paint on their locomotive fleet. There have been many outside contracts solely for the purpose of a repaint. Since at least 1994, the Juniata paint shop has used only Dupont Imron paint, an extremely durable, and expensive paint. Just look at how well the paint is holding up on the 14-year-old (as of 2009) SD60Is that are still blue.
The first step is cleaning. This normally takes two men 10 hours to ready a locomotive for sanding. Second, it takes about 90 man-hours to sand down a locomotive to the metal. There is usually some amount of body putty applied to units being repainted. From primer to stenciling, it takes about 18 hours to paint an entire locomotive inside and out.
Pictured here are just a handful of the thousands of locomotives painted by the Juniata Paint Shop.
Work In Progress - Looking for any unusual paint schemes applied at the Juniata Shops
CR 6288, United Way
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Paint Date: May 1979 Photo Date: 1984 One of the Juniata-rebuilt RS-3Ms is seen shifting in the Hollidaysburg yard. Photo by Dick Bregler |
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Paint Date: Photo Date: When PRR 1361 was removed from display at the Horseshoe Curve in the early 1980's, this GP9 took its place. Conrail painted it up in PRR colors, but it has since been repainted. Photo by William Davis Jr |
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Paint Date: Photo Date: July 1989 Conrail SD40 6300 wearing the "Buy and Hold US Savings Bonds" lettering. Photo by Gordon Lloyd Jr |
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Paint Date: c.1984-91 Photo Date: June 1991 Point Comfort & Northern GP38 #16 is a former PC and CR unit. Photo by Randy Smith |
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Paint Date: August 1990 Photo Date: August 1990 Amtrak 415 is one of the group of six former GO Transit F40PHs which Amtrak bought. Before entering service on Amtrak, they were sent to the Juniata Shops to get dynamic brake and cab a/c added as well as other Amtrak-specific tidbits. Conrail photo |
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Paint Date: c.1991 Photo Date: Specially painted load test unit Q1. Photo by Gerry Carry |
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Paint Date: Photo Date: December 1993 Conrail SD50 6707 helps to support our troops during Desert Storm. Photo by Gordon Lloyd Jr |
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Paint Date: Photo Date: September 1993 Special Philadelphia Division decal. Photo by Bill Hough |
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Paint Date: March 1983 (originally) Photo Date: October 1998 Juniata painted all three Executive E8s. CR 4022 is seen here on display next to the power plant. Photo by Ralph Bonnano |
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Paint Date: June 1992 Photo Date: 1994 CR 6726 SD50 carries a special paint scheme for the USCF Olympic Road Trials which were held in Altoona. Photo by Gary Dryhouse |
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Paint Date: June 1992 Date: June 1992 CR 6373 SD40-2 also wears the same special scheme as 6726 above. 6373 was a helper. Photo by Kevin Galau |
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Paint Date: September 1993 Date: October 1993 FEC 442 and 443 pose outside the Juniata Testshed. Photo by Terry Nardella, collection of Steve Ondik/CRHS |
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Paint Date: November 1993 Date: November 1993 An MT-6 slug has been repainted. This one went to CSXT. Photo by Terry Nardella, collection of Steve Ondik/CRHS |
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Paint Date: November 1993 Date: November 1993 This former MGA unit has just been upgraded from a B23-7R to a B30-7R and repainted. Photo by Terry Nardella, collection of Steve Ondik/CRHS |
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Paint Date: November 1993 Date: December 1993 This NJ Transit GP40PH-2B was extensively rebuilt from a Conrail GP40. Photo by Terry Nardella, collection of Steve Ondik/CRHS |
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Paint Date: March 1994 Date: April 1994 Freshly painted B23-7. Photo by Terry Nardella, collection of Steve Ondik/CRHS |
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Paint Date: September 1994 Date: September 1994 A Conrail C40-8W sits east of the paint shop. Photo by Terry Nardella, collection of Steve Ondik/CRHS |
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Paint Date: March 1995 Date: March 1995 This MT-4 slug was retired just 7 months after it was painted. Photo by Terry Nardella, collection of Steve Ondik/CRHS |
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Paint Date: August 1995 Photo Date: May 2007 This is one of several SD60I's built in Altoona under contract for EMD and Conrail in 1994 and 1995. |
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Paint Date: 1995 Photo Date: May 2003 In 1995 Conrail sold three GP8s and one GP10 to the Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad. The four classic units were repainted at Juniata before being sent to the NBER. Photo by Andy Charlesworth |
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Paint Date: 1995 Photo Date: October 1995 San Diego & Imperial Valley 5537 is a former Conrail GP38 repainted by Juniata. Photo by Paul Tupaczewski |
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Paint Date: 1995 Photo Date: October 1995 PW 2211 is on display after an overhaul and new fresh paint. Photo by Paul Tupaczewski |
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Paint Date: September 1995 Photo Date: October 1995 The last SD60I built at Juniata (and last SD60I period) is on display for Railfest 1995. Photo by Paul Tupaczewski |
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Paint Date: September 1995 Photo Date: October 1995 A freshly painted SD50 is on display for Railfest 1995. Photo by Paul Tupaczewski |
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Paint Date: January 1996 Photo Date: Spring 2002 Juniata painted the SD80MAC's in a new paint scheme to make them stand out from DC traction units. |
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Paint Date: May 1996 Photo Date: March 2007 The last existing E7 was cosmetically restored by the Juniata Shop after it was saved from the scrapper's torch. Photo by Lance Myers |
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Paint Date: Fall 1996 Photo Date: November 2011 Here's M&D 801 still looking pretty good 15 years after Juniata painted her in this special "Conrail Express" scheme. Photo by Al Moran |
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Paint Date: October 1997 Photo Date: October 1997 This NJ Transit F40PH-2CAT was converted from a F40PH-2. Photo by Ralph Bonnano |
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Paint Date: May 1998 Photo Date: October 2003 This blue SD70MAC is working for CSXT. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: September 1998 Photo Date: September 1998 Built and freshly painted in Altoona, NS 2574 is on display next to the General Office Building. This group of SD70s were the last engines to get real Conrail blue. Photo by Ralph Bonnano |
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Paint Date: November 1998 Photo Date: November 1998 BNSF SD70MAC built at Juniata. Photo by Roger Durfee |
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Paint Date: February 1999 Photo Date: June 2002 Standard paint C40-9W departing Altoona. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: November 1999 Photo Date: April 2002 An SD60I painted in the previous NS paint scheme. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: Photo Date: September 2004 One of 27 P32AC-DMs completed for Metro-North at Juniata in the 1990s These units were slowly being rebuilt by GE in the late 2000s and repainted at Juniata into a more pleasing scheme. Photo by David Sommer |
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Paint Date: March 2000 Photo Date: March 2000 ARR SD70MAC built at Juniata. Photo by Roger Durfee |
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Paint Date: August 2000 Photo Date: October 2000 The first NS GP38 rebuild is on display for Railfest. The 5500's were actually financed and owned by First Union Rail. Photo by Jeff Lubchansky |
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Paint Date: Fall 2000 Photo Date: October 2000 NS overhauled and repainted many former Conrail GP38-2 for CSXT after the breakup of Conrail. Photo by Jeff Lubchansky |
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Paint Date: Fall 2000 Photo Date: October 2000 FAIX leasing bought these units after other plans fell through. These are former Conrail units. Photo by Jeff Lubchansky |
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Paint Date: Fall 2000 Photo Date: October 2000 JBS overhauled and repainted several former SP units for Union Pacific. Photo by Jeff Lubchansky |
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Paint Date: January 2002 Photo Date: April 2007 This is a standard NS repaint in the former NS paint scheme. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: July 2002 Photo Date: July 2006 NS 3329 was Conrail's first SD40-2. It was painted Maersk as a promotion for a new intermodal facility in California. Photo by R.J. Vitchner |
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Paint Date: February 2004 Photo Date: February 2004 GP38-3 5801 is the first NS GP50 rebuild. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: March 2004 Photo Date: May 2008 An SD60I painted in the current standard NS paint scheme. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: October 2004 Photo Date: November 2004 One of a handful of GP38H-3 rebuilds for Amtrak. Photo by Stevan Roberts |
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Paint Date: November 2004 Photo Date: November 2004 Five B36-7s were overhauled and bulletproofed for El Cerrejon-Zona Norte of Columbia. Juniata did three including this one. Photo by Fred Shook |
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Paint Date: August 2006 Photo Date: August 2006 During the summer of 2006, Juniata completed, tested, and painted ten UP SD70ACe's under contract from EMD. Photo by Mike Breen |
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Paint Date: Late 2006 Photo Date: December 2006 Load test unit Q1 was repainted as NS 1000. Decals were modified a little because of the middle hood missing. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: March 2007 Photo Date: March 2007 NS F units, painted up for the OCS train, are on their test run with two clean GP38 rebuilds. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: May 2007 Photo Date: June 2007 A handful of Juniata's GP38-2's and GP38-3's have received Operation Lifesaver decals. It's been a while since any units have received them. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: August 2007 Photo Date: August 2007 Here is NS 3072, the second NS GP40/GP40-2 conversion. Photo by J.B. Kerr |
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Paint Date: November 2007 Photo Date: March 2008 The last GP38-2 rebuild for RJ Corman sits at Cresson. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: March 2008 Photo Date: March 2008 WRIX 1886 is formerly NS 59, one of the SD9Ms. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: July 2008 Photo Date: July 2008 Two of the OCS F units and one of the completed RP14BDB's was placed on display for 2008 Railfest. Here is the first look at the cabless remote genset switcher. Photo by J.B. Kerr |
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Paint Date: June 2008 Photo Date: August 2008 BDRV 9581 is the former NS 58, an SD9M. Photo by Andrew Blaszczyk |
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Paint Date: June 2008 Photo Date: June 2010 Norfolk Southern's original research "slug" got a major overhaul in 2008 which including major electrical work and the addition of a cab for computer equipment. Photo by Nikos Kavoori |
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Paint Date: October 2008 Photo Date: October 2008 WRIX 50 is ex-NS 50, another SD9M sold off. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: December 2008 Photo Date: July 2010 MET 2000 was rebuilt from a GreenGoat by Juniata. Photo by Stephie Kolata |
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Paint Date: 2008/2009 Photo Date: May 2009 The Metro-North P32AC-DMs were overhauled by GE in Erie, then shipped to Altoona for paint. Photo by Brent van Dorp |
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Paint Date: July 2009 Photo Date: August 2010 NS decided they needed a second research "slug" and built NS 38 at the Juniata Shops on an SD40 frame. Photo by Scott Ikemeyer |
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Paint Date: August 2009 Photo Date: October 2009 NS 999. Photo by Andy Charlesworth |
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Paint Date: October 2010 Photo Date: October 2010 This new Railpower RP20BD is for the Port of Montreal. It was shipped at RPRX 1001 because POM has no reporting marks. Photo by J.B. Kerr |
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Paint Date: October 2010 Photo Date: October 2010 NS 54 has been sold to the Winchester & Western as their number 954. Here it is after an overhaul and paint job. Photo by Andy Charlesworth |
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Paint Date: October 2010 Photo Date: November 2010 NS 6900 SD60E seen at Birmingham, AL Photo by Casey Thomason |
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Paint Date: November 2010 Photo Date: December 2010 TRWX 121 is one of three F59PHs overhauled and painted for Trinity Railway Extra in Texas. Photo by Mike Ray |
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Paint Date: January 2011 Photo Date: February 2011 NS 103 is leased to Virginia International Terminals. Photo by J.B. Kerr |
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Paint Date: February 2011 Photo Date: June 2011 FMG 903 is one of four former Union Pacific SD90MAC-Hs overhauled and repainted in the US for Fortesque Metals Group in Australia. Juniata did two of these, 901 and 903. The remaining 5 units of FMG's order are being repowered with 16-710G engines by the Juniata Shops. |
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Paint Date: March 2011 Photo Date: July 2011 CSXT 1601 is a new Railpower RP20CD built at Juniata on an SD40 frame. Photo by Jamey Rickens |
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Paint Date: May 2011 Photo Date: July 2011 NS 6085 features a new NS Admiral Cab. Photo by Andy Tucker |
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Paint Date: July 2011 Photo Date: August 2011 FMG 909 SD9043MAC undergoing tests on the Pittsburgh Line at Fostoria, PA. Photo by Tony Kimmel |
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Paint Date: September 2011 Photo Date: September 2011 FMG 905 SD9043MAC on the "display track" at the Juniata Shops. Photo by L.R. Myers |
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Paint Date: November 2011 Photo Date: December 2011 MET RP20BD 2004 Photo by Jerry Jordak |
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Paint Date: November 2011 Photo Date: December 2011 UPY 887 is the first of a seven unit order for Union Pacific. UP calls them RP20SD, but Railpower calls it an RP20CD. Photo by Tony Kimmel |
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Paint Date: November 2011 Photo Date: December 2011 CEFX 1557 is former NS 2231. It's one of the few SW1500s to actually get an entire repaint after being sold. Photo by Tony Kimmel |
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Paint Date: November 2011 Photo Date: December 2011 CSXT 965 is one of a batch of brand new GEs painted into CSX colors for GE. Photo by Tony Kimmel |
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Paint Date: November 2011 Photo Date: January 2012 NS 5901 is a GP22ECO rated at 2,000 hp. Photo by Tony Kimmel |
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Paint Date: November 2011 Photo Date: n/a Wanted: Photo of one of the five SD40-2 former BNSF SD40-2 repainted for export to Saudi Arabia. They were lettered ITC 005-009 Photo by n/a |