Main Central question.

[SCLJim]

Hi all! I was wondering if someone could tell me the story behind Main Central's eagle logo and pine tree logo? Eagle was early and pine tree later, correct? When did they make the change?

[MaineLines]

The pine tree logo has been around in various forms since the 1940s. The eagle was only used on their U18Bs because they arrived during the Bicentennial locomotive craze. They were designated the "Independence" class, and named for Revolutionay War heroes and events.

[SCLJim]

Thanks! Some of the U18s did wind up with the pine tree logo right?

[MaineLines]

That's a good question. If any were repainted by the MEC before Guilford took over in the early 1980s they would have recieved the simplifed pine tree within a circle. The ex Rock Island U25Bs got that scheme but I am not sure any U18Bs did. I'll do a little research.

[MaineLines]

I searched thorugh several Maine Central books that I have and found that at least 400 and 402 were repainted before Guilford.