Amtrak paint schemes

Phase I

Unveiled in 1972 Phase I was the first paint scheme to be implemented system-wide on Amtrak's trains. Previously Amtrak equipment had retained their original paint jobs used by their previous owners, known as the Heritage Era, a few engines had been painted into experimental and promotional paint schemes. Colloquially Phase I is known as the "Bloody Nose" scheme due to the red paint on the fronts of engines.

On locomotives, Phase I contained a red nose and then the Amtrak Chevron logo on the side of the engine and a black roof. On passenger cars, Phase I had a red & blue stripe down the sides with white pin-striping bordering the stripes; on the ends of the car just inside from the door a white field covered the stripes and held the Chevron Logo. Amtrak would retain the Red, White & Blue stripes as a paint scheme for many more years. The last Phase I equipment was retired out of the scheme in 1981. The "Inverted Arrow" was reintroduced for the new Viewliner II cars that will be delivered between 2014 and 2017.

Phase II

In 1975 Amtrak unveiled their second paint scheme, Phase II with the arrival of the first GE P30CHs. While extremely similar to Phase I, Phase II was the first paint scheme to have all equipment using the stripe style. Phase II stripes were identical to Phase I stripes, however the cars lost the Chevron logo on the ends. Locomotives also received the striping, losing the red nose & the Chevron logo on the sides. The locomotives retained their black roof. The last Phase II equipment was phased out in 1987.

Amtrak's Superliner Is were originally delivered in this paint scheme, since the Superliners are double level, similar to the Hi-Levels, the striping was placed between the two floors, and only swooped up to pass through the windows on the second floor of the Sightseer Lounge Cars. The new Superliners also featured the Superliner Mark located in the striping above the doors, this mark would continue to be seen in Phase III.

Phase III

Phase III is a widely known paint scheme of Amtrak, introduced in 1976 on the Rohr Turboliners and existing to this day on some equipment. The "classic" version of this scheme used the same red and blue colors are previous schemes. Most equipment was stainless steel or painted Platinum Mist (silver), and featured 8" tall stripes of red white and blue. Superliners, Amfleet and some Horizon cars had taller red and blue stripes, but the center white stripe remained at 8" tall. Many variations exist within this scheme, including trainsets painted white with the stripes toward the bottom of the carbody, which was also featured on LRC equipment. Locomotives were painted with a black roof that normally angled down and over the cab windows and across the top of the nose. AEM-7 locomotives in Phase III wore a hybrid that was styled after the trainset variant but used Platinum Mist for the main body color. Dash 8-32BWH locomotives had a unique variant that was unofficially dubbed "Pepsi paint." The roof was painted Charcoal Gray and the stripes were enlarged and stylized with white pinstripes accenting their edges. The red and blue color were changed to be darker and closer to US Flag colors. Genesis series locomotives were delivered using the same Charcoal Gray for the top, and the same darker red and blue color for their stripes.

In February 2015, the first Viewliner II Baggage cars entered revenue service wearing an updated version of Phase III (often erroneously referred to as Phase IIIb). The classic 8" tall red, white and blue stripes using the original colors adorn the cars, with the addition of the Amtrak America version of the Travelmark logo. The underbody is Anthracite Gray (the same as on Phase V) and they feature a red sill stripe.

In January 2016, P32AC-DM #704 was first to be painted into a classic version of Phase III (similar to the 40th Anniversary Heritage units), but wearing Empire Service emblems at the request of NYSDOT. Instead of Helvetica Amtrak lettering in the center of the unit and on the nose, Travelmark logos appear.

Phase IV

Beginning in 1993 Phase IV was introduced as a striking departure from the traditional red, white, and blue style seen previously. Phase IV was brought into service with the delivery of the newer Superliner II cars. It consisted of two thin red stripes over a white background, over a thick dark-blue stripe. In 1997 Amtrak extended the scheme to locomotives, initially GE P42DC diesel locomotives on Northeast Corridor service.

Phase IV introduced a collection of subtle variations for different services. Northeast Corridor Amfleet trains received a special "Northeast Direct Service" logo located near the doors on coaches and in the windowless section of Cafe cars. The P42DC units assigned to those trains received the most changes, including a grey roof line, as well as the words "Northeast Direct" in small print under the cab. Along with the Amfleets & P40s a collection of Viewliner Sleepers obtained special window stickers containing a star field for the car's use on the Twilight Shoreliner.

Superliner cars got the Phase IV striping located in the same location as previously minus the swoop up on the Sightseer Lounge cars. These cars lost their Phase II-style wording above the doors and instead got the word "Superliner" in blue placed above the red & white strips, cutting into the strips some, with a white shadow when cutting in; the word 'Superliner' spanned most of the length of the car. The Viewliner cars received a similar treatment but bearing the word "Viewliner". In June 2016, the last Amtrak Locomotive (P32-8BHW 515) was repainted in Phase V colors.

Phase V

Phase V was introduced with the arrival of the Acela Express high speed train set. It is currently the most common paint scheme on Amtrak's locomotives. The new paint scheme was originally used on the "Genesis" locomotives, starting with units 123-207, and eventually spread to all units in the class. Phase V consists of a red stripe that runs along the bottom of the locomotive and a blue nose which runs up the side of the locomotive in a "wave" form . The underbody is painted Anthracite Gray. This is the first paint scheme to use the current Phase V paint on Genesis units sporting the most recent Amtrak Travelmark logo, which is portrayed on the side of most Phase V engines. Originally on Genesis units, Phase V had a wider red stripe with a blue stripe just below it and near the front of the locomotive there was a small Amtrak logo. Phase V has sometimes been referred to the "Shamu" design after the SeaWorld killer whale.

The Phase V scheme is used on Amtrak Genesis locomotives, Acela Express power cars, HHP-8, AEM-7, and ACS-64 electrics, some Material Handling Cars (now out of service; known as 'MHCs'), and all Autoracks on the Auto Train. More recently, the scheme has started to appear on Amtrak's GE Dash 8 locomotives, new switcher locomotives, as well as EMD F40PH cab cars. Phase V has not appeared on any passenger cars. The Auto Train's Autoracks, the MHCs, and the EMD F40PH do not feature the blue waves. Amtrak has decided to keep the Phase IV stripes with the introduction of the Phase IVb paint scheme.

Phase V for passenger cars was modeled after the Acela Express variation of this livery, featuring mobile shapes (or blobs) that led to the nickname "lava lamp scheme."

This short lived paint scheme was introduced in 2000 for Northeast Regional services on Amfleet cars during the Capstone rebuild project, in an effort to create a new image for the trains. This variation of the paint scheme featured many different splotch patterns officially called "mobiles." Different color combinations represented different classes of service. On the coach cars, dark turquoise fins were covered on a light turquoise background. On business class cars, light turquoise fins were covered on a navy blue background. Cafe cars were painted the same as business coaches, except a large green fin was placed in the center of the car where there were no windows. The bottom of the cars feature the same red sill stripe found on locomotives, however the underbody was painted black instead of Anthracite Gray.

The only non-Amfleet car to receive Phase V was a Heritage Baggage car assigned to the Vermonter, which featured a large mural of the Vermonter logo in the center of the car between the baggage doors.

Phase VI (also referred to as Phase IVb)

Phase VI is the official name given to the revised Phase IV scheme applied on passenger cars to match the "Acela inspired" Phase V locomotives once the Phase V scheme was ordered to be retired by CEO David Gunn. This is now the most common paint scheme seen on Superliner equipment.

The design is easily confused with Phase IV designs, although there are several differences between Phase IV and Phase VI. The Phase VI stripes are the same size and arrangement as Phase IV, however the blue is lighter, not a purple-like color, and is the same blue used for Phase V. The current Amtrak Travelmark logo is displayed in white or blue depending on where it is located on the car. The car number and car type lettering are much smaller than on previous paint schemes with Frutiger replacing the previous Helvetica typeface. On the skirt of the car, there is usually a red reflective stripe, the same as on Phase V. Although not used on any locomotives, Phase VI has been applied to just about every type of Amtrak passenger car used today, including Superliner, Amfleet, Horizon, and the remaining Heritage equipment (though a small amount of cars remain in older paint schemes in rail yards and at railroad museums). Phase VI has not been applied on any of Amtrak's locomotives as it was designed to correspond with Phase V locomotives.

On Superliner equipment, directly above the red stripes, the lettering of "Superliner" has been moved to the car ends and placed within the blue stripe. Some Viewliner equipment used to be seen in a hybrid of Phase IV and VI. Those cars would have the text "Viewliner Sleeper" by the door, and the large "Viewliner" spread down the sides within the red & white stripes. This mixed paint job carries the new Travelmark logo as well as the older black & white striping on the skirting. By March 2013 however, all of the cars had been repainted into full Phase VI with a thinner blue stripe and a red stripe along the bottom of the car with no "Viewliner" lettering inside the red and white stripes.

Acela

Designed by OH&CO; the Acela Express trainsets use a custom variation of the Phase V paint scheme. The power cars receive the standard blue wave across the front and running along the top of the side. The windscreen receives a dark purple 'bubble' surrounding it. Running along the bottom of the entire consist is a dark grey field with the standard red reflective stripe just above it. Each power car has a large Acela Sea Turtle Fin logo near the rear, and a smaller one near the cab. The cars do not have the blue roof line, however each car has a series of Sea Turtle Fins, or Splotches, which vary in shape, color, and positioning depending on the class of car it is (Business Class, Cafe Bistro, and First Class).

California Cars

Amtrak California's color scheme and logo differ from standard Amtrak colors. All state-owned locomotives and California Cars, with the exception of equipment used on the Pacific Surfliner, use the "California Colors": blue and yellow (gold). This scheme is also used on many connecting buses. All state-owned equipment is named for geographical features in California.

The Capitol Corridor and the San Joaquin are most identified with the Amtrak California image since they use "California Colored" equipment most of the time. The other state-supported rail route, Pacific Surfliner, uses a unique blue and silver paint scheme that differs from other Amtrak California-branded trains.

Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner paint scheme was created especially for Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner trains in California and was also used the short lived Las Vegas Talgo. The paint scheme consists of a blue-and-white stripe, running along the skirt of the locomotive and cars, and a very large blue streak, which "swooshes" up the sides of the locomotive and then runs horizontally across the cars. On the locomotives, white Amtrak lettering is in the large blue streaks on the sides, and blue Amtrak lettering is on the locomotives' nose. There is also a black mask, outlined with white stripes, which runs across the cab windows on the front & sides of the engine. On the Pacific Surfliner cars, large "Surfliner" letters, the same style letters as on Phase IV Superliners, go across the lower part of the large blue stripe, below the upper-level windows, along with the car type and number on each end of the car in white lettering.

San Joaquin Single-Level Equipment

In 2013 Amtrak California started receiving refurbished single-level cars to supplement their current fleet on the San Joaquins route to help with over-crowding issues. The 14 single-level Comet IB rail cars, purchased from NJ Transit, are painted in a heritage paint scheme. As well as a complete refurbishment of the interiors, the cars received a dark blue band over the windows with three colored "disco stripes" (in a nod to the car's history in New Jersey) by the doors. The stripes are in Amtrak California's colors of orange, blue and green. Caltrans also leased three Non-Powered Control Units (former F40PH locomotives turned into cab control and baggage cars) from Amtrak. These control cars are painted in a livery that matches the original livery of Caltrain's F40PH locomotives. The Non-Powered Control Units are painted silver with a blue and green stripe running from the nose and down the side, about two-thirds down the sides they turn up and swoop over the roof. The nose has red and white warning stripes.

Amtrak Cascades

The Cascades paint scheme was created especially for Amtrak's Cascades trains, operated in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. On the locomotives, the Cascades scheme is very similar to the Pacific Surfliner paint scheme except the colors are changed. Instead of the large blue streaks on the side of the engine, it is colored green. The black mask across the cab windows is colored brown. On the Cascades Talgo equipment, the green streak slides down the baggage car & power car, and then runs down the bottom of the rest of the cars. This inverts the colors from the order on the locomotive making the middle part of the cars brown.

Oregon DOT recently bought two Series 8 train-sets from Talgo for use on the Cascades service. These are painted similarly to the existing Cascades design; however the newer train-sets lack the transition fins on the end cars that the old ones have. Lacking the transition fins the Cab end's strips come to a point rather the swooping up to meet the engine's swoops.

Las Vegas Talgo

The Las Vegas paint scheme is a derivative of the Cascades design originally applied to single set of Series VI Talgo units for use on a route between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The train was designed to be able to use Pacific Surfliner engines and so has Pacific Surfliner colors in the Cascades design; The green became blue, the brown became dark grey, and the white top became light grey. The Cascades logo and car names do not appear on this set. After the closure of the Desert Wind route this set was moved into regular Cascades service; and has been repainted into standard Cascades paint.

Hiawatha Talgo

Wisconsin's new Series 8 Talgo trains were completed but never delivered due to the state's decision to cancel the order. The trains were painted in Talgo's corporate paint scheme of a white car with a red stripe in line with the windows and a dark grey stripe along the bottom. They do not have the transition fins that the older Series VI Talgo trains in Washington have. The current plan is for these cars to be used on Michigan's Wolverine service.

Downeaster

The Amtrak downeaster has a F40ph paint scheme, there is a logo on the side and the word downeaster on the "nose" of the train.

Seahawks

In partner with Washington state and Amtrak has a Seattle seahawks logo on the side http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/2016/10/12/new-seahawks-themed-amtrak-cascades-train-debuts-seattle

ACS-64 Promotional Units

The first three ACS-64 units released from Siemens received a special variation to the regular Phase V paint scheme. Units 600 & 601 received a large American flag on the sides as well as smaller logos for Siemens & Amtrak. Both #600 & #601 then had these removed and are currently wearing the standard ACS-64 paint scheme. ACS-64 #602 had a special "Reliability - Efficiency - Mobility" info-graphic on the sides. It also has since been repainted into the standard scheme.

Veterans Units

In June 2013, Amtrak released P42DC #42 wearing a special red, white, black, and dark blue scheme with a large logo on the side saying "America's Railroad Salutes our Veterans". The paint job consists of a black nose followed by a red cab that curves down to make a Phase III-like striping along the base of the locomotive. The white and blue striping wrap around the locomotive with the dark blue covering the undercarriage. Within the Blue 'stripe' part there are 50 white stars. This locomotive occasionally is paired with Amtrak 406 on the "Exhibit Train". ACS-64 #642 & F40PH NPCUs #90208 and #90221 have received similar paint schemes.

"Pepsi-Can"

The "Pepsi Can" paint scheme was used on Amtrak Dash 8-32BWH diesel locomotives. The Pepsi Can paint scheme is a spin-off from the standard Phase III. On the front of the engine, the red, white and blue stripes run across the side of the locomotive much like Phase III, except they are wider and spread much more apart. Close to the rear of the engine, the red and blue stripes make a "turn" and go up the side of the engine after crossing over each other. Because of the Dash 8-32BWH's shape and the paint scheme, the nickname "Pepsi-Can" was given to the engines. Even though the engines have been converted over to Phase IV and V paint, the nickname is still used by many in different variations, such as 'Diet Pepsi' for Phase IV and 'Crystal Pepsi' for Phase V.

10th Anniversary - Pacific Surfliner

Amtrak wrapped EMD F59PHI #457 in a special scheme for the 10th anniversary of the Pacific Surfliner. The locomotive's new scheme was released on May 8, 2010, for National Train Day. The paint scheme also commemorated the Surfliner's ridership surpassing 25 million. For several weeks the engine's scheme contained a typographical error – "Millon" instead of "Million". This has since been corrected. In September 2011, the engine was repainted as the Amtrak Surfliner Operation Lifesaver engine. In 2015, the engine was restored to its original livery.

Operation Lifesaver - Pacific Surfliner

In late 2009, Amtrak wrapped EMD F59PHI #455 in an Operation Lifesaver paint scheme. The wrap featured a surfer with a surfboard standing in the middle of railroad tracks during a sunset. The words "Stay off, stay away, stay alive" were printed on both sides. All non-surface parts of the locomotive remained in Surfliner livery and spaces were visible through the wrap. The front windshields 'mask' remained in black. In June 2010, the locomotive was restored to its original livery.

Operation Lifesaver – Amtrak California

Operation Lifesaver wrapped Amtrak California EMD F59PHI #2007 in a promotional paint scheme, consisting of a yellow background and the text "Stay off the tracks. I PACK A PUNCH." and the "Stay off, stay away, stay alive" slogan on the front of the engine.

Promotional E8

EMD E8 No. 4316 was painted shortly after Amtrak's creation for the press. The unit's special scheme was Amtrak's "pointless arrow" logo on a black field wrapping around the front, on the nose the stripes received angled warning stripes in alternating blue and white. The locomotive's number was located at the back of the locomotive.

Maintenance Of Way

Amtrak MoW equipment primarily receives the same scheme of an orange base and black lettering. Newer Amtrak MoW receives a new scheme consisting of a yellow base with the current blue logo. Older equipment is gradually being repainted in this scheme.

60' Green Express Box Cars

A small fleet of 60' Express Box Cars were originally made for a freight railroad, when bought by Amtrak were in a solid green paint scheme. Amtrak was in the process of repainting them into the Phase V paint scheme when the decision was made to stop express box car service.

40th Anniversary

For Amtrak's 40th Anniversary a number of locomotives received a special version of historic paint schemes. The engines have been touring the country in regular service as well as serving on a special museum train Amtrak ran. From January through April 2011, Amtrak's Beech Grove Shops outside Indianapolis released the units and sent them north on the Hoosier State (Train 851). The Anniversary locomotives were selected from units scheduled for repainting or recent wreck rebuilds.

Phase I - Amtrak P42DC #156

P42 #156 has been painted in a version of Phase I. It was first seen in its new paint scheme and photographed by railfans from the Purdue Railroad Club on March 16, 2011 in Chicago. It features Amtrak's classic "Pointless Arrow" logo on the silver flanks surrounded by the dates 1971 and 2011. Another trade mark of the Phase I scheme is the red "bloody nose" as seen on E-units and EMD SDP40Fs, the first locomotives designed specifically for Amtrak.

Phase II - Amtrak P42DC #66

Amtrak P42 #66 has been painted in a version of Phase II. Similar to the earlier release of #145, the Phase III unit, #66 features a silver carbody with a black roof and nose. Also known as the 'Cigar Band' paint scheme, Phase II includes thicker stripes of red and blue, bordered by white pinstripes. Additionally, the side logo is off center, closer towards the cab. 66 was damaged in a wreck involving a semi truck on February 19, 2016 and is currently out of service for repairs.

Phase III - Amtrak P42DC #145

The 1st engine released in the special scheme is #145, which is in a special version of Phase III. This version is very similar to the original Phase III scheme used on the EMD F40PHs.

This livery is not quite the same as the original Phase III that appeared on the GE Genesis, which consisted of the three stripes angling up from the center in front and becoming a straight line back to the rear of the engines. The striping is much lower on the engine than on the previous Phase III striping on P42s. The top of the engine is black with the black field angling down to cover the windows on the cab the whole front surface of the locomotive, with the exception of the striping. Amtrak elected to use the older logo typeface seen on Phase III equipment, positioning the bold "Amtrak" wordmark above the stripes and flanked with the year Amtrak was founded (1971) and the year of their 40th anniversary (2011) in a smaller, serifed typeface.

Phase IV - Amtrak P42DC #184

Amtrak P42 #184 has been painted in a version of Phase IV. This locomotive shares the greatest resemblance to its original creation. Phase IV features a deeper blue in a broad band stripe with twin red pinstripes atop. The carbody, underframe, and even trucks are all painted silver while the upper third and upper nose area show a darker shade of gray. The "Amtrak" lettering is centered above the striping, printed in blue, and surrounded by the years of the anniversary.

Museum Train - Amtrak P40DC #822 and Amtrak NPCU #406

Debuted 3/9/11 - Amtrak P40DC #822 wears a Phase III scheme identical to that on #145.
Debuted 4/10/11 - Amtrak NPCU #406 also sports the Phase III style. This unit was stored at the Bear, DE shops until being converted to an NPCU. Unlike other NPCU's it retains most of the original equipment(Fuel tank, roof fans and vents, etc.) and lacks the side doors for loading/unloading baggage.
The rest of the 40th Anniversary Exhibit Train consists of a modified sleeper, three refurbished baggage cars, and a reconfigured Amfleet cafe car.

History Channel Acela

Amtrak and The History Channel teamed up in November 2007 to produce the first all-train "wrap" of an Acela Express trainset. The purpose of this wrap was to promote The History Channel's "1968 With Tom Brokaw". The wrap remained on the train from November 12 through December 9. The revenue brought in from this advertisement has not been disclosed. Though wraps are often used on busses, this is the first time that all-train wraps have been used on the Acela Express. The scheme was criticized by passengers because the wrap acted as a sort of window tinting, thus deteriorating the view from inside, despite claims by Amtrak. This was particularly unwanted by Acela Express passengers, who are either business class or first class passengers.

Cake Boss

Amtrak wrapped an Acela unit advertising the TLC show Cake Boss. A number of complaints similar to the ones brought up by the History Channel wrap arose. The scheme got the nickname of the 'Rusty Acela' due to the roses looking like rust when viewed from a distance.

A Christmas Carol

Starting May 22, 2009, Amtrak and Disney launched a train tour to promote Disney's new film, A Christmas Carol. P42DC's #157 & #71 were wrapped in a special paint scheme along with several other private cars.

Monopoly National Tournament

This paint scheme was used on a special Monopoly National Tournament Amtrak train which operated in October 2003. The paint scheme, featuring huge Monopoly game pieces and money, was applied on Amtrak Genesis locomotive #203 as well as some Amfleet cars. On the locomotive, the Monopoly game pieces were pasted right over the engine's Phase V livery, but the Amfleet coaches in the paint scheme were completely wrapped, with the game pieces and cards being over a light blue background. After the tournament was over, the Monopoly paint scheme was removed and the locomotive & cars returned to regular Amtrak colors.

"Believe in America" Tour

This paint scheme was used on Amtrak P42 locomotive #138, the lead unit on the John Kerry/John Edwards campaign train of 2004. The nose of the engine was standard Phase V but the sides of the locomotive were completely wrapped in blue with campaign slogans and large "BELIEVE IN AMERICA TOUR" lettering. After the campaign, the unit was returned to Phase V.

"Celebrate the Century Express"

This paint scheme adorned the outside an Amtrak P42DC locomotive #100, a baggage car, and an Amfleet car with a modified interior. This scheme consisted of a very elaborate collection of enlarged stamps and postmarks from 1900 to the 1990s. This was for the United States Postal Service's "Celebrate the Century Express Educational Train Tour" running from 1999 to autumn 2000. It was the only Amtrak train to carry an RPO car. This paint scheme has since been removed.

Toyota Tundra

Amtrak and Toyota began an advertising campaign in October 2004, with two P42 locomotives, #84 and #115, painted in a special paint scheme. The nose of the engine was standard Phase V but the sides of the locomotive had a giant photograph of a Toyota Tundra pickup truck on it, on a light blue background. On the corner of the side black letters spelled out, "THE POWERFUL TOYOTA TUNDRA". The tires went down to the wheels of the locomotives. Both of the units were repainted by March 2005, into standard Amtrak livery.

Tested schemes

Amtrak has tested a number of different trains. Some of these received their own special schemes.

Phase III testing

The Rohr Turboliners and LRC cars received a variation of the phase III scheme; where the striping runs along the bottom of the train with the blue strip striping wraps around the bottom. The Turbos have recently been painted into a variation of the Acela scheme. A similar paint scheme was worn by the AEM-7s which omitted the white paint above the stripes, instead the locomotives sides were left in an unpainted stainless steel. The roof and cabs of these AEM-7s were painted black.

Talgo

The Talgo cars were painted in an experimental phase III scheme. A thin phase III striping ran below the windows; with a large blue field (closer to phase IV blue) covering the window area.

ICE

The Siemens ICE 1 train kept its Deutsche Bahn two-tone red scheme of a wide Oriental Red stripe on top of a smaller pastell violet stripe directly below with the DB logo replaced by "Amtrak". The train mainly stayed on the Northeast Corridor, however when it toured the US two F69PHAC received the ICE colors as well as a baggage car. The two F69PHACs retained their ICE colors until retirement.

IC3

The Bombardier IC3 "Flexliner" was painted in its own scheme. The cars received a black stripe across the windows with a blue stripe below it all on a white field. The end cars have a red triangle at the cab end and a yellow front.