AD WRAPS

VIA updated all five (5) grey-wrapped F40PH-2Ds by replacing the '40 years' logo with black "love the way/la voie qu'on aime" lettering in 2019-20.

6402	6416	6436

6437	6454

VIA 6420 and 6427 in the regular green VIA paint scheme were damaged in a washout derailment outside Hudson Bay Sask on July 5 2018. Both units were repaired and released back into service with all-new 'love the way' wrap in December 2019. This was the first time in their history that these two units received any kind of special wrap. VIA 6445 received the 'love the way' wrap in March 2022.

6420	6427	6445

These eight (8) units are presently the only F40PH-2Ds with special markings. I am not aware of any HO scale decals or RTR models of this current scheme.

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Commercial advertising first appeared on VIA's F40PH-2Ds in May 1990. VIA 6400 along with a few cars was specially wrapped in a white scheme that was used in a series of television commercials (one shown in YouTube link below) featuring the "Diet Pepsi Taste Drive" train. The wrap was removed once the promotion was over in late June 1990. No models of 6400 or any of the rolling stock were ever produced in this scheme as far as I can tell. HO scale decals of 6400's Diet Pepsi scheme (set L-262) were released in 2013 by Highball Graphics along with decals for the SGU, flat car and SUVs (set L-262a).

It was not until July 1997 that we were treated to another new ad wrap, this time by Home Hardware as part of a contest for a cross Canada VIA rail trip. VIA 6429 was wrapped for Home Hardware directly over the original circa-1987 VIA paint and operated this way until the unit was repainted into the green Telus scheme (seen below) in 2002. HO scale decals are available from Highball Graphics (formerly SGS Decals). For those who prefer RTR models, Rapido Trains produced this paint scheme on their F40PH-2D in 2018.

In May 2000, ten (10) VIA F40PH-2Ds appeared with a colourful lettering wrap scheme promoting Kool-Aid drinks. These came and went quickly and by late August/early September all units had reverted to the regular VIA scheme. The Kool-Aid units were 6404, 6405, 6406, 6411, 6424, 6432, 6433, 6439, 6453 and 6454. HO scale decals are produced by Highball Graphics (formerly SGS Decals). For those who prefer RTR models, Rapido Trains released this attractive paint scheme on their F40PH-2D model in 2018.

VIA 6429 finally shed its Home Hardware wrap in the spring of 2002 when the locomotive was fully repainted in green for Telus Mobility. When first lettered, 6429 featured the large Telus flower at the back and on both sides of the unit. By the summer of 2003, this flower was removed and replaced with a small banner advertising the 2010 Vancouver Olympic games. 6429 remained in Telus until the unit went in for CAD rebuild in 2010. Once the rebuild was complete, it was the first time in 13 years that 6429 was seen in regular VIA colours rather than ad colours. HO scale decals of the second (2003-10) Telus version became available in 2012 by Highball Graphics. Rapido Trains produced an excellent original version (2002-03) Telus paint scheme on their F40PH-2D model in 2018.

VIA 6403 was the next F40PH-2D to receive a special wrap for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) 50th anniversary touring display train in September 2002. For many years afterwards, CBC-wrapped 6403 was used in regular VIA service until it went in for CAD rebuild in 2010. HO scale decals of this scheme became available in the summer of 2012 from Highball Graphics. Rapido Trains produced this paint scheme on their F40PH-2D model in 2018.

In early 2003, 6411 was wrapped for "Operation Lifesaver, Direction 2006" and received two horns in the front corners of the cab roof. In 2009, 6411's front had some work done to it, including removal of sand box access ports, addition of a 3rd hi-vis headlight and removal of all advertising wrap elements from the cab. VIA 6411 remained wrapped this way until it was shopped for CAD rebuild in October 2010. Rapido produced this paint scheme on their F40PH-2D model in 2018.

In June 2004, the Hollywood movie "Spiderman 2" was released to great fanfare. Leading up to the premiere, several VIA units were decorated with a special Spiderman wrap in May. These wraps remained on some locomotives for quite a few years -- albeit in deteriorating condition until their CAD rebuild. The six affected units were 6401 (wrap remained until early 2010), 6406 (until Nov. 2009), 6408 (to Apr. 2011), 6413 (brief mid-2004 only -- see this wrap-less photo from September 2004), 6424 (2004-05 only) and 6434 (to CAD rebuild May 2010). Neither HO scale decals nor RTR models of VIA F40PH-2Ds in this paint scheme were ever released commercially.

In late 2005, VIA 6424 was repainted or wrapped for the Budweiser "Tailgate party" (in reference to a Super Bowl football promotion) but this scheme was very short lived and disappeared by early 2006. Decals of 6424's Budweiser scheme were never made commercially available nor has a RTR model ever been released in this scheme.

In late July 2006, VIA 6414 was wrapped for Loto Quebec provincial lotteries and this wrap remained intact until the locomotive was shopped for CAD rebuild late 2011. Neither decals nor a RTR model of this relatively unpopular scheme were ever made commercially available.

In April 2011, Spiderman 6408 traded in its shabby wrap for a new Coors Light wrap as part of a contest promotion. VIA added a couple of small black "VIA" logos to the nose of 6408 in August. VIA 6445 was also wrapped but the artwork was different; both 6408 and 6445 retained their Coors wraps until the units were sent to CAD for rebuilding in 2012. HO scale decals of the two versions of this scheme were never made commercially available to model railroaders. Rapido did produce both Coors Light schemes on their F40PH-2D model and sold the pair as a box set in 2019.

These Coors Light units were the last un-rebuilt F40PH-2Ds to carry advertising. Once they were sent to CAD for rebuilding in early 2012 the fleet achieved ad-free status for the first time in 15 years. It was short-lived though; the special wraps were back a few months later.

In July 2012, VIA 6445 was released from CAD's rebuild project in the regular REN scheme but was wrapped in Toronto for the CFL's 100th Anniversary Grey Cup display train on August 24-25. After deadheading to the west coast, this unit toured the country (including rare miles on CP tracks in the three prairie provinces) eastward with a special set of four (4) special CP and VIA cars from September-November 2012. Within 24 hours of the end of the Grey Cup game in Toronto on November 25, 2012, the wrap was removed and 6445 reverted to REN green paint. VIA's F40PH-2D fleet was again ad-free from late-2012 until the Canada 150 wraps started appearing in February 2017. No HO scale decals or RTR models of this scheme have been produced to date.

I took several photos and prepared one writeup for each time the 2012 CFL display equipment travelled through Manitoba:

Later, Ray Farand caught up with 6445 in Ottawa October 26 and then leaving in J-train #643 October 28, 2012:

As part of "Canada 150" celebrations to mark the sesquicentennial in 2017, several VIA Rail locomotives and passenger cars received a distinctive but short-lived wrap which included VIA-served city names on both sides of the equipment. Five (5) F40PH-2D units 6402, 6416, 6436, 6437 and 6454 received this new wrap between February and May. After just two months in the new livery, VIA 6402 was famously stranded in Churchill after a major track washout in May. After sitting for months while government and Omnitrax argued over track rebuild costs a decision was made to remove the trainset. It was rescued in October (along with green 6434) by ship MV Nunalik that travelled an Arctic sea route around northern Quebec eastern Labrador, down the St. Lawrence and finally arriving in Montreal in mid-November. This festive wrap design was unfortunately very short lived as the "Canada 150" banner and city names were removed from all five F40PH-2Ds in March 2018. For those model railroaders who are already feeling nostalgic, Rapido Trains released their F40PH-2D in this paint scheme in 2017 and 2018.

As part of their 40th anniversary celebrations, VIA updated the Canada 150 wraps by replacing city names with a new "40 YEARS/ANS" logo on all five grey-wrapped F40PH-2Ds in March 2018. This scheme was also short-lived as the design was again updated the following year when the '40 years' logo was replaced by new 'love the way' lettering. Rapido Trains managed to keep up and released their HO scale F40PH-2D model in the '40 years' scheme while the prototype could still be observed in 2018.