Hi Spike, I considered that possibility too; on the other hand, there are other railroads that run along salt waters that haven't had the same problem -- or if they did have rust, it took 10-15 years to show up. It only took 3 years for the paint to start bubbling on the FECs, and within 4-5 years there was visible rust.
Looking at recent pics of the FEC GEs, which are now four years old, I'm not seeing any rust or any paint bubbles yet.
MEC407 Moderator: Pan Am Railways — Boston & Maine/Maine Central — Delaware & Hudson Central Maine & Quebec/Montreal, Maine & Atlantic/Bangor & Aroostook Providence & Worcester — New England — GE Locomotives