Railworks America

You're exactly correct, thankfully though on this forum the majority of people understand this basic licensing issue. On facebook how ever, not a lot of people have a clue. I used to try to explain this when I was on the facebook page, but I don't bother anymore it pointless, a person can't fix ignorance, I just go on there for news now.

Thank you, it shocks me how so many people aren't aware of this. It took RSC a long while to get a license from Amtrak, so think about how long it would take to get licenses from CSX or other American railroads.

So Im thinking CSX and CP? And of course all the railroads that make them up. So no SOO, B&O, SCL, DM&E, etc etc

You can of course minimise impact - I'm not sure how far copyright extends to liveries ( probably not colours? ) but you can provide blank spots for logos, or blank logos as seperate model parts so they can be easily provided as an after-market modification.

Some cottage industry people probably ought to be a bit careful about all this too.

Who holds copyright for components of Conrail? P-C or even NYC for instance?

CSX doesn't seem to be even interested in running a railroad, much less making the fans and foamers happy. Simce they've changed from the happy rainbow to the stealth blue paint scheme, i've not had a real interest on modelling that road anyway.

As far as licensing other roads, how do you go about that? I tried to contact Norfolk Southern about a license so I could make my stuff "official", but after several attempts, i've never heard from anyone from the company.

But, don't we have CXS repaints? That just means, it's OK if it's free, but not payware?

Probably best not to ask.

b737lvr wrote:Yeah, RSC cant do anything conrail for that reason too. Since NS and CSX share conrail, it cant be used because of ol' stubborn CSX.

The Conrail deal is a bit confusing. NS owns Conrail and its reporting marks. At the CR split NS got the PRR and CR marks. CSX had to remark the stuff they got with NYC reporting marks.

As for the modern day terminal Conrail it's shared 50/50. If not then the 58% (NS) - 42% (CSX) from the actual split in 1999.

RSC has a NS skin for the dash 9 am I right? So dose that mean they have NS's permission to use their logo?

Its not copyright, it's trademark. There are extensive and siginficant differences.

Fear Before wrote:RSC has a NS skin for the dash 9 am I right? So dose that mean they have NS's permission to use their logo?

Apparently.

SMMDigital wrote:(...) I tried to contact Norfolk Southern about a license so I could make my stuff "official", but after several attempts, i've never heard from anyone from the company.

That is normal. When we tried to obtain a license from American Heritage Railways (Durango & Silverton), it also took us several attempts to get a response.
Actually, we even had to call by phone before something happened.
I don not blame them because railroads obviously have more important things to do - running a railroad for example.

you mus also remember that RSC is a company, and to run a company you need to turn a profit. they are choosing the most common and widely known (that they can get licenses for) railroads because they appeal to most of the buyers. This is also why we dont see things like MRL, KCS, Indiana, WS...etc. but hey, thats why they tried making the locos easy to repaint, so the end user can modify to their liking! (now it puzzles me why there have not been many packs that include fallen flags that they have the license for......IC and WC for CN, Southern and Norfolk for NS....you get my point?

SMMDigital wrote:CSX doesn't seem to be even interested in running a railroad, much less making the fans and foamers happy. Simce they've changed from the happy rainbow to the stealth blue paint scheme, i've not had a real interest on modelling that road anyway.

As far as licensing other roads, how do you go about that? I tried to contact Norfolk Southern about a license so I could make my stuff "official", but after several attempts, i've never heard from anyone from the company.

NS gave me a license for 250.00 bucks. it took them 2 months to respond to my email!*not-ok*!

BNSF charged me $1.00 lol it took them a week. you can see why we see alot of BNSF now right.

CSX = We really could be profitable if we could just get rid of all this darn railroad track. They've been doing their best for nearly 30 years. Norfolk Southern is nearly as bad a company as CSX. As a former railroader with friends still in the industry,this isn't a railfan's view. I model 70's early 80's,so those bad roads are not part of my interest. But I do understand why current rail fans want equipment in the sims,or model railroaders too. Union Pacific finally lightened up a few years back on licensing. Why wont railroads realize it is FREE promotion? Oh we have heard the excuse we can crash a trademarked train in a sim,and ruin their reputation. Oh please!

b737lvr wrote:Yeah, RSC cant do anything conrail for that reason too. Since NS and CSX share conrail, it cant be used because of ol' stubborn CSX.

Wow, what a shame. And to think I was even considering applying for CSX as a Freight Conductor once I retire from Corrections. Maybe things will be different in 13 years, but for now I may have to look elsewhere.