[Creativity] Covid-19: The rail industry promoting arts & crafts at home [updated]

Maybe you start running out of options on what to do during these times of social distancing and stay-at-home regulations. Luckily, the marketing departments of several rail companies have come up with a way to keep railfans going, while improving their brand awareness. Railcolor has gathered various initiatives on how you can practice your locomotives and trains DIY skills at home. All you need is a printer and paper:

Do you have enough just reading about trains and you want to be active? Well, we have a solution. We have been observing the creative response of the rail industry to the Covid-19 outbreak – and many of them have come up with their trains on paper – for the DIY project. From manufacturers to leasing companies and operators – here are some tips where you can print, color, fold and glue DIY:

Alpha Trains: color, cut & glue

The Luxemburg-based ROSCO has pioneered the idea of paper train models during coronavirus period, even with a charitable twist. First introducing the Bombardier TRAXX locomotive, it has been developing their paper portfolio by various Vossloh MaK locomotives. The latest in their “paper fleet” is the Stadler Euro 4000 and even (!) Euro 4001 locomotives.

Build your own Alpha locomotive – we donate! Working from home and taking care of children can be challenging. As a small handicraft distraction, we put our Traxx locomotives into a paper model. https://t.co/5gRDrRSm6F #RedCross #homeschooling #locomotive #traxx pic.twitter.com/LEHwIJOclu

— Alpha Trains (@AlphaTrains) April 6, 2020

Siemens Mobility: cut & glue

On 17.04.2020, Siemens Mobility joined the cut & glue initiative with craft sheets of their various EMUs: Desiro HC in RRX livery, UK’s Desiro City Class 717 in the Great Northern livery and a Desiro ML in an OBB Cityjet eco livery.

Color, Cut & Glue ✂️ ? We have some #train templates for you so that you can build your own train at home! Share your train with us below ?
You can find the templates here: https://t.co/dplgq49sLz pic.twitter.com/Rnw9YsQzsU

— Siemens Mobility (@SiemensMobility) April 17, 2020

Newag: cut and glue

To broaden your paper model fleet, Polish rolling stock manufacturer Newag has added a model of its Dragon locomotive to be printed, cut and glued too. And even in the Polish national livery.

https://www.facebook.com/NEWAG.GROUP/photos/pcb.2605674926426046/2605670003093205/?type=3&theater

Most recently, even the unique livery of a pink Dragon for Laude Smart Intermodal is up for printing, cutting, and gluing:

https://www.facebook.com/NEWAG.GROUP/photos/a.1657718121221736/2613444675649071/?type=3&theater

DB Cargo UK: print & color

Fan of Class 66 locomotive? You can now share your rainbow in a spring-themed coloring picture as offered by DB Cargo UK via their Twitter and even use a hashtag #ShareYourDBRainbow

We have asked everyone at DB Cargo UK to join the rainbow trail & ask their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews & neighbours to join in and colour our DB Rainbow Train to show their support for the country’s key workers. Don’t forget to tag us.#TeamRed #ShareYourDBRainbow pic.twitter.com/h9qTQPazoD

— DB Cargo UK (@DBCargoUK) April 1, 2020

TX Logistik

Designing the livery on an ELL Vectron has been offered by TX Logistik LinkedIn profile, where keeping the basics of ELL corporate green and dark-grey is a must, yet the rest for the loco is up for creativity.

ZSSK Cargo

Slovak national carrier has made its coloring books online on its website too. Featuring the modern fleet, we highlight its 383 202 Siemens Vectron locomotive that can be printed and colored freestyle.

Fancying a family game? Download, print, cut, and play the match pairs memory game with ZSSK Cargo locomotives.

Maasoever and Watford Miniature Railway

Even the smallest of railways – such as the currently shut touristy Maasoever Spoorweg in the Netherlands joined the coloring hype with their contribution for kids downloadable on the website. So did the Watford Miniature Railway with their twist on coloring books.

Have you seen more of coloring, cutting, and gluing rail industry initiatives? Share them with us and we will gladly update the creative inspiration for everyone.