The railroad did as much as they could to distance themselves from the previously destructive McGinnis administration. They darkened the blue on their locomotives, greatly reduced the usage of the iconic "McGinnis cross" logo and instead went with a large "Boston and Maine" script on the sides of the long hood. "BM" appeared on the noses of the engines. This bold new paint scheme was simpler than the extravagant McGinnis Bluebird scheme, but still managed to look modern and progressive; befitting of the railroad's new intended image. Unfortunately, it was only a few years before the B&M would be bought completely by Guilford in 1983, so this last new paint scheme was soon replaced by the Guilford grey and orange, although a few managed to stay "true blue" into the 1990s. However, in the years that it ran on the B&M, this new look managed to be just as identifiable and memorable as their past schemes.
Although the B&M had by now purchased new and more powerful locomotives in the form of GP38-2s and GP-40s, their venerable GP9s still served the railroad well both on the remaining (and quickly disappearing) branchlines and the mainlines. During this time the B&M also renumbered a handful of their GP9s from the 1700 class to the 1800 class, however not every GP9 was renumbered; some retained their 1700-class numbers.
It is notable that many of the last photographs taken on branchlines abandoned in this era (1976-1982) are of GP9s in the Late scheme. I am reminded of a particular photograph of B&M GP9 #1714 crossing Main St. in Keene, NH in 1984; the last train to ever leave that city.
I have repainted the RSC CN GP9 into the final Boston & Maine Railroad paint scheme. There are six units included in the pack, which will be available for download on Railworks America shortly.
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