Bombardier had experienced that it was hard to built locomotives with nice smooth side panels, so they decided to let go of this ambition completely. With the AC3, the Traxx sidewalls were ribbed again, result of a more simple construction method. Bombardier also presented the Flex-Panel; Made of flexible canvas, installed like a curtain, this was an idea borrowed from the truck and trailer market. For customers that don't liked ribbs, the flex -panel covered them, but more important, it could offer a more cheaper way to customize the design of their locomotive. Especially the units property of leasing companies often switched between operators, so logos had to be swapped on a regular basis. Instead of painting them on, or applying vinyls, one could just change the flex panel. The base material was relatively cheap, it could be done within two hours and one didn't need a dry shed anymore. The base paint stayed untouched. However, if desired, Bombardier could also shove in a hard panel, or even no panel at all. No problem for the driving conditions of the locomotive.
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