My eldest son, Jon, created this clever cyberspace 'retro' troops tribute by putting the original 1991 Yellow Ribbons and message back on this former patriotic unit. It seems like a pretty neat idea to me, even if only in the TrainSim universe. The real unit still regularly works the NS main line across southern Pennsylvania. Here's another view of how it looked when it was traveling throughout the Conrail system two decades ago (the yellow ribbons and bows on opposite flanks were mirror images):
http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=91805&nseq=4
Here is an idea I've had for a long time, and I finally decided to put it together and introduce it to the public. Norfolk Southern SD40E 6318 was built as Conrail SD50 6707, which of course was for several years "wrapped" in an attractive yellow ribbon to recognize support for the troops activated during Operation Desert Storm back in '91. In honor of Memorial Day, and the very successful Norfolk Southern Heritage Program, here is an interesting "what if" paint scheme incorporating the yellow ribbon from the 90's back onto the flanks of the 6318. What do you think?
The original 3D model and and original textures are the work of the talented folks over at http://www.streamlines.ca/. Modifications for the yellow ribbon scheme are by yours truly.
