What is the real deal with the George H.W. Bush unit. Why is such an expensive unit unused?
|
| Posted by on July 30, 2014 | |
It will get a new paint "Barack Obama"
|
The reason 4141 sits idle is because it needs to be ensured that it will be able to be operated when the call comes in that President Bush (Sr.) has passed away. It will then lead his funeral train, and will be put on permanent display at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library. I've heard stories about the crews and others despising the unit so much (possibly due to political reasons), that one of the last times it went out on the road, it came back with broken windows, etc.
|
Perhaps they're afraid it will be vandalized.
|
Does this reflect a change in corporate culture?
|
| Posted by Ron T on July 30, 2014 | |
Political pay backs.....
|
| Posted by Sport! on July 30, 2014 | |
I like the fact that #4141 has it's own cover!
|
If crews don't like George H.W. Bush who the hell do they like?
|
I have read the comments above - and I wish to add mine. The 4141 was sidelined in 2009 due to the Federal Justice Department (Under AG Eric Holder) notifying the Union Pacific that the Federal Government was going to sue UP for "Copyright Infringement" for using the "Presidential Air Force One Scheme" on this locomotive. According to the complaint - The Presidential color scheme that is used for "Air Force One" is "copyrighted" and can not be used by a private corporation, industry, or individual for commercial or personal use. (Pentrex Videos: Southern California Rails 2008/2009 citing the unit was sidelined due to a "Lawsuit"!) Union Pacific - in order to "appease" the AG's office and to avoid the costly court case of a Federal Lawsuit agreed to sideline the unit and put it under wrap to avoid "controversy"! However, Union Pacific has stated that at the time of the unfortunate death of Former President George H. W. Bush, the locomotive will be used to lead a funeral train for him. It will then be placed back into regular service until it's ready for retirement - and then prepared and serviced to be donated for permanent display outside the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum on the grounds of Texas A&M University. (Source - a reliable friend I know who works for Union Pacific Railroad.)
|
| Posted by on July 31, 2014 | |
Still doesn't explain the corporate fetish and creepy death watch over one man. And if that whole lawsuit thing is true, then how poetic that the company that created such a kerfuffle for model makers over using their UP colors and shield logo would be on the receiving end of the same style of infringement complaint.
|
To the "anonymous" comment above: UP is not holding a "creepy" death watch over former President George H. W. Bush - the unit would still be in service right now if not for "pressure" put on them by an apparent administration in Washington who despises anything related to anyone named Bush. As for the "Kerfuffle" over model companies using their paint scheme and logo - that lawsuit was filed by Union Pacific to the model manufacturers for using the Flag Scheme in 2002 before Union Pacific had officially unveiled it! Had the model companies waited to use the scheme until AFTER the official unveiling - there would not have been a Lawsuit by Union Pacific. That lawsuit was not for "Copyright" infringement - but it was about information leaked and used by the model companies BEFORE they had permission to use it.
|
It seems unlikely to me that a competent marketing department would emanate a story such as the funeral train. If I unveiled something to my wife and explained that I intend to parade it down the aisle ahead of her casket, she would react the way any normal person would. And apropos of placing this thing at the library upon retirement, "infatuation" and "unhealthy love affair" were the first terms that came to my mind at the mention of restoring this thing and putting it on display. You have to wonder, if they didn't check with the government about the use of those seals, have they contacted any of the trustees at the library to see if they even want this thing? One thing is certain: this is definitely some executive's hobby horse.
|
One final note that I just thought of.. this unit was painted in 2005 with the Heritage units that UP unveiled. President George W. Bush (43) was still in office - Current administration was elected in 2008 and took office in 2009 - then UP received the notice of a lawsuit. It was 2009 when this unit was sidelined and put into storage under the "threat" of "copyright infringement"!
|
Thank you Dana. I find your story highly plausible. I really find it hard to believe that anyone would have a problem with GHWB. Of the past four presidents, he was the least polarizing. Despite recent ailments, he has shown resiliency. The man is a class act. A gentleman and a war hero. I have no issue with an engine being painted for him. Even if it sits dormant. That's UPs prerogative.
|
Interesting, FEC has an Air Force One inspired PV used in OCS service regularly.
|
| Posted by Dana M. on August 11, 2014 | |
TJ Mahan - That is interesting as the information about the FEC having a PV business car in an "Air Force One" scheme now confirms the original account that the current administration in D.C. really does NOT like anything associated with any person with the last name of Bush. This locomotive was approved to be painted this way in 2005 while George W. Bush was in office, and the year that the current President took office in 2009 was when UP got notified that the Justice Department under A.G. Eric Holder was threatening the lawsuit over "copyright infringement" for use of the "Air Force One" scheme, and UP sidelined this locomotive. If the FEC is able to run their PV Business Car without a problem - unless it had the name "George Bush" on the side - then this administration is REALLY being petty and mean.
|
I'm no legal expert but I don't think the US government has a copyright on what it generates.
|
Yes, could someone please post the case number of this lawsuit? I'll believe it when I read it.
|