The aerial shots above the Columbia River in Washington and the narrations by the Locomotive builders/craftspeople are really awesome!
The BNSF paint jobs are really striking as the trains move through the Columbia River Basin scenery.
Finally, a rational comment from Railwayist. Yes, the GE locomotive commercial is a fine piece of work. It follows virtually the same theme as the GE commercial for its latest generation of jet aircraft engines and its appliance business in Louisville. As the extremely unhappy owner of a miserable GE refrigerator/freezer that never has worked properly, I state simply that GE ought to put as much quality into its products as it does its commercials. That would be an advance for mankind.
This GE "info-mercial" is an excellent example of a highly productive and superbly operated corporation providing strong image, product news and sparking interest in the technical sciences. America needs more companies like GE to come forward and ignite a fascination with engineering and the sciences. Secondary education students would benefit greatly with information provided in media commercials such at the GE locomotive example! When I was a young boy I was provided with many books about the design and construction of both steam and diesel-electric locomotives to get me interested in the engineering sciences...of which I had a long career after my university years. My father and grandfather were engineers, and saw it fit to inspire and motivate my understanding of design and industry. America needs much more of this approach. It would be interesting to see if General Electric provides more of the same for inspiring young academics.
As I said in my earlier comment, goldenspike, GE's commercials are outstanding; great examples of the creativity and language command one always hopes for from the advertising industry. I agree with everything you say, except for the unalloyed praise of GE. Sadly, and I include GE's AC locomotives in this, GE doesn't match its commercials with the quality of its products.
The Engineering Library at the Wayne State University Detroit has a vast collection of automotive-only books, journals, magazines, pamphlets and photos.
There is an SAE(Society of Automotive Engineers)-'sponsored' bank of computers available for students.
RAILWAY ENGINEERING material barely fills a single shelf...
Cause---Wayne State University is a monolithic/single-minded/one-sided/automotive only centered school and has ZERO interest in anything non-automotive/non-truckster/non-highway.
What else could be expected of a one-horse-town?
Check out Rhyolite, Nevada...
The Railwayist strikes again.. It may not have occurred to him that in Detroit there may be more interest in the automotive industry and history, than railroad history . Maybe he should complain that there is no collection of railroad memorabilia in Erie PA. or Schenectady, NY.
Again...this GE ad concerning the design, build and operation of a fuel-efficient diesel/electric rail locomotive opens a new genre of commercial advertising! Any future ads depicting high-speed rail design concepts would also be fascinating from GE! I must point out that the private railroad corporations haven't as yet jumped into the highly debatable fast rail controversy! Futuristic journalism may be needed to spice up the situation...read my latest newspaper article titled, "To Chicago And Back In About An Hour". Enjoy!!!
So sorry...info needed...just "Google" that title it went viral!!!
candlou is rational and seems capable of thought; something railwayist rarely demonstrates.
Thank you, Mr. Kaufman. I appreciate the compliment.
Now GE just moved 50 executive jobs out of Erie PA to Chicago as of this week taking 10 million of pay with it. I dont know how happy they will be in Chicago with the Polution and high taxes
Why don't you ask Boeing executives how they like living and working in Chicagoland?