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Bicentennial Locomotives: List, Photos, Railroads

Last revised: September 15, 2024

By: Adam Burns

During the nation's Bicentennial the railroad industry celebrated the event by repainting over 200 diesel locomotives in patriotic red, white, and blue.

These locomotives included some that were specially renumbered, while others retained their original numbers. They traversed the rails across all states, ranging from two FP7s from the Alaska Railroad and a small GE locomotive from a historical rail group in Hawaii.

The repainting spree extended beyond the 108 common carriers, with more than 100 industrial, museum, and tourist railroads embracing the festive spirit.

Participation was particularly strong among industries steeped in American pride, like cement, construction, and steel, with no fewer than 15 units from the Pittsburgh area alone joining the celebration.

While the celebrations began with Seaboard Coast Line U36B #1776, delivered in June, 1971, the nation's very first patriotic locomotive can be traced back to Alco PA-1 #1776 which was part of the original "Freedom Train" of 1947 honoring America's victory in World War II.

This endeavor inspired the later American Freedom Train (AFT) project, led by Ross Rowland and associates, launched via a nationwide promotional tour called the "Preamble Express."

This initiative aimed to coordinate local arrangements for hosting the AFT. The Preamble Express, initially comprising four ex-Reading commuter cars owned by the Lancaster & Chester short line from South Carolina, was first hauled by Delaware & Hudson’s GE U23B, numbered 2312 and later renumbered to 1776.

This locomotive was subsequently replaced by Union Pacific’s E9A #951—one of the four E9 units still in UP’s possession at the time. Notably, the E9 951 would be Union Pacific's sole Bicentennial locomotive.

The range of Bicentennial diesel locomotives was impressively diverse, spanning from a modest 5-ton Plymouth at a Hercules Powder facility in New Jersey to an array of six SD45-2s — five on the Santa Fe and one on Erie Lackawanna.

The enthusiasm ignited by the Preamble Express and the 1975 Chicago photo shoot by *Trains* magazine, which included Bangor & Aroostook and Boston & Maine, prompted other Class I railroads, as well as numerous short lines and industrials, to join the patriotic movement.

Some Class I railroads, notably those with several Bicentennial units such as Santa Fe, BN, Delaware & Hudson, Missouri Pacific, Southern Pacific, and Western Pacific, often brought these locomotives together for special events. Many of these units also powered public excursion trains, enhancing civic and corporate functions.

Noteworthy gatherings included San Francisco's July 4th, 1976 celebration, which featured Santa Fe 5700, SP GP40P 3197, and WP's two GP40-2s, as well as the opening of the Central Pacific station portion of the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento, which showcased WP 1776, SSW 9389, and a Santa Fe SD45-2.

Out of the 46 Class I railroads operating at the time, 31 adorned at least one diesel locomotive in Bicentennial livery. This patriotic fervor extended beyond locomotives to freight cars and cabooses, with several dozen of these being repainted for the occasion.

Participants ranged from Southern Pacific to Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific, and from Georgia Railroad to Cambria & Indiana, as well as the Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis. Even caboose manufacturer International in Kenton, Ohio, joined in the celebration.

Photo Gallery

bn76sdp40.jpgBurlington Northern SDP40 #1976 wearing the railroad's Bicentennial livery is seen here on display in Chicago on July 31, 1975. Ray Lackemeyer photo.
87123126458757868968966.jpgGrand Trunk Western GP38AC #1776 in its Bicentennial livery at South Bend, Indiana in 1975. Karl Miller photo.
723741241278879325826566.jpgA Central Vermont/Grand Trunk publicity photo featuring GP9 #1776 wearing the road's Bicentennial livery.
203953572387528735892362309643097.jpgA handsome Santa Fe SD45-2, #5700, shows off its Bicentennial livery in Kansas City on February 26, 1975. J. Primm photo. American-Rails.com collection.
6800000192365144231rtgfh14hj1589978.jpgRock Island E8A #652, wearing its Bicentennial livery, at the 47th Street Shops in Chicago, circa 1977. The livery was designed by the 20th Century Railroad Club (their name can be seen on the cab door), which also sponsored the "Bicentennial Rocket" excursion between Chicago-Bureau, Illinois on May 15, 1976 celebrating the bicenntenial.
GOWTmsiWkAIMyux.jpgWestern Pacific GP40s #1776 (#3540) and #1976 (#3541) pose in their Bicentennial livery at Stockton, California, circa 1976. Henry Brueckman photo.
580192389235972868947378934793947.jpgErie Lackawanna SDP45 #3638, wearing its Bicentennial livery, is seen here at Hornell, New York on October 28, 1975. Richard Allen photo.
212827362372839606.jpgA Norfolk & Western publicity photo featuring SD45 #1776 wearing its Bicentennial livery in Roanoke, Virginia circa 1974.
9127431274235872589628968969807.pngSouth Buffalo Railway S2 #76, then a Bethlehem Steel subsidiary (now owned by Genesee & Wyoming), shows off its Bicentennial livery in South Buffalo, New York on August 12, 1975. Ray Lackemeyer photo.
82737823523689389467667.jpgSouthern Pacific's Bicentennial GP40P-2, #3197 - the "Spirt of '76" - is seen here at San Jose, California on September 10, 1977. The locomotive featured a beautiful red, white, and blue livery, the Liberty Bell, and gold trucks and underframe. Marty Bernard photo.

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Roster

Railroad/Owner Road Number Builder Model Type Serial Number Construction Date Notes
A.E. Staley Corporation 1776-1976 Plymouth MDT 6608 12/1967 -
Agrico Chemical 97 Brookville BFA 2543 10/1940 "Old Dixie"
Alaska Railroad 1510 EMD FP7 19064 12/1953 'Spirit of 76'
Alaska Railroad 1512 EMD FP7 19065 12/1953 'Spirit of 76'
Alcoa Terminal 5 Alco S1 73583 8/1945 'Happy Birthday USA'
Allied Chemical 3 GE 80-Tonner 27830 4/1945 -
Allied Chemical 3A Alco S4 81998 8/1957 "Spirit of Independence 76"
Alquippa & Southern 1208 EMD SW1200 21559 2/1956 'Happy Birthday America'
American Brick 1776 Plymouth DGT 5782 1/1948 -
American Cast Iron Pipe 102 EMD NW2 5263 1/1948 -
American Cast Iron Pipe 103 Alco HH900 68788 3/1937 -
American Grain & Cattle 2302 Alco HH600 68804 7/1937 -
Apache Railway 100 FM H10-44 L1081 10/1947 -
Apache Railway 200 FM H10-44 10L100 11/1948 -
Apache Railway 700 Alco RS36 84116 9/1962 -
Apache Railway 800 Alco RS36 84117 9/1962 -
Apache Railway 900 Alco RS36 84118 9/1962 -
Arkansas, Louisiana & Missouri 10 EMD NW2 10598 10/1947 -
Arkansas, Louisiana & Missouri 11 EMD SW7 11232 3/1950 -
Arkansas, Louisiana & Missouri 12 EMD SW9 15636 1/1952 -
Arkansas, Louisiana & Missouri 14 EMD SW9 17365 1/1953 -
Armco Steel Corporation 76 Lima 1200 9486 2/1951 Renumbered for celebration from E128 to #76.
Ashley, Drew & Northern 76 EMD SW1200 21016 12/1955 Renumbered for celebration from #176 to #76.
Santa Fe 5700 EMD SD45-2 72642-14 5/1973 -
Santa Fe 5701-5702 EMD SD45-2 72642-15, 72642-16 5/1973 -
Santa Fe 5703-5704 EMD SD45-2 72642-17, 72642-18 5/1973 -
Atlantic Steel -- Whit. 25DE 61189 1/52 Nee US Navy 65-00330
Avondale Shipyards 1353 GE 80-Tonner 15741 10/42 "Avondale 38th Birthday", nee Stone & Weber Engng 2
Avondale Shipyards 1651 Baldwin S12 76121 12/1955 "Avondale 38th Birthday"
Avondale Shipyards 2372 Baldwin S8 75252 5/1951 -
Babcock & Wilcox 1776 Whitcomb 50-Ton 76022 9/1954 -
Bangor & Aroostook 1776 EMD GP7 9946 8/1952 Renumbered for celebration from #73 to #1776; named "Jeremiah O'Brien."
Becker Sand & Gravel (NC) 3 GE 80-Tonner 27994 3/1945 Ex-Marine Corps 152145
Becker Sand & Gravel (SC) 3 Alco S1 75126 1/1947 -
Becker Sand & Gravel (SC) 4 Alco S1 73914 8/1946 -
Becker Sand & Gravel (SC) 76 Alco S2 76173 9/1948 Renumbered during celebration from #7 to #76.
Belt Railway of Chicago 534 EMD SW1500 74683-2 5/1975 -
Bendix 28 Skagit Steel & Iron Works 50-Tonner - - -
Berwind Corporation 76 GE 44-Tonner 29961 7/1948 -
Bessemer & Lake Erie 853 EMD SD18 27723 9/1962 -
Black River & Western 1554 Alco RS3 80271 4/1953 -
Blaw-Knox Steel 1554 GE 65-Tonner 15234 5/1942 -
Boston & Maine 200 EMD GP38-2 73636-12 12/1973 Renumbered for celebration from #212 to #200; named "Minuteman."
Boston & Maine 1213 EMD NW2 7737 1/1949 -
Boston & Maine 1557 & 1564 EMD GP7 12375, 15787 9/1950, 3/1952 -
Boston & Maine 1715-1716, 1719 EMD GP9 23213-23214, 23217 10/1957 -
Boston & Maine 1729 & 1737 EMD GP9 23227, 23235 5/1957, 6/1957 -
Boston & Maine 1751, 1754 EMD GP18 26660, 26663 5/1961 -
Branford Steam Railroad 7357 EMD SW1001 756135-1 7/1976 -
Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal 25 Alco S1 74962 10/1946 -
Buick/GMC 1776 EMD SW900 19703 2/1955 "Free Spirit"; Renumbered for celebration from #818 to #1776.
Buffalo Creek Railway 46 Alco S2 73924 2/1947 -
Burlington Northern 1776 (2nd) GE U30C 38335 3/1972 Renumberd during celebration from #5325 to #1776 (2nd).
Burlington Northern 1876 (2nd) EMD SD40-2 5803-1 1/1972 Renumbered during celebration from #6325 to #1976 (2nd).
Burlington Northern 1976 (2nd) EMD SDP40 31935 5/1966 Renumbered during celebration from #6397 to #1976 (2nd).
California Western 55 Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton RS12 76024 3/1955 Ex-McCloud River #32.
Cambria & Indiana 36 EMD SW9 16557 3/1952 'The Spirit of '76'
Central Vermont Railway 1776 EMD GP9 21457 6/1956 Renumbered during celebration from #4450 to #1776.
Charleston Chapter NRHS 76 Porter 45-Tonner 8231 9/1949 -
Chevrolet/GMC 1776 EMD SW1001 4623-1 4/1972 "The Spirit of Freedom"; renumbered during celebration from #96 to #1776.
Chicago & North Western 1776 EMD GP18 25769 3/1960 Renumbered during celebration from #4450 to #1776.
Chicago, West Pullman & Southern 41 EMD SW8 14566 8/1951 "1776 Bicentennial 1976"
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company 1776 Alco S2 76188 11/1948 -
Clinchfield Coal Company 100 EMD SW600 24745 9/1958 -
Colorado & Wyoming Railway 200 EMD GP7 13551 3/1951 Renumbered during celebration from #101 to #200.
Conemaugh & Black Lick 76 EMD SW7 9756 8/1949 Renumbered during celebration from #111 to #76.
Conrail 1776 GE U34CH 37625 10/1970 -
Conrail CR 4800 BLW/GE GG1 11646 8/1934 -
Conrail Erie Lackawanna #3632 EMD SD45 33949 5/1968 Renumbered after celebration to Conrail #6097.
Conrail Erie Lackawanna #3638 EMD SDP45 34979 5/1969 Renumbered after celebration to Conrail #6669.
Conrail 7776 EMD GP38 35405 9/1969 -
Continental Grain Company 1528 Alco S4 80061 7/1952 -
Crucible Steel 76 GE 95-Tonner 30795 9/1950 -
Cuyahoga Valley 1284 EMD SW1200 23082 3/1957 -
Danville Industries 5 GE 43-Tonner 12502 3/1939 "Spirit of '76"
Delaware & Hudson 1776 GE U23B 36814 9/1968 "Spirit of Freedom"; renumbered for celebration from #2312 to #1776.
Delaware & Hudson 1976 Alco RS3u 80312 9/1952 "Spirit of Freedom"; renumbered for celebration from #4112 to #1976 and then #506.
Depeca, Inc. 120 P-3 Plymouth 15-Tonner (JHG) 5449 6/1949 Built as A.M. Byers Company D4.
Detroit & Mackinaw 976 Alco C420 84779 2/1964 -
Detroit & Toledo Shoreline 76 EMD GP7 16204 4/1952 Renumbered for celebration from #46 to #1776.
Detroit Toledo & Ironton 1776 EMD GP38-2 74562-8 7/1975 Renumbered for celebration from #228 to #1776.
Dietsch Scrap Metal 10 Whitcomb 65-Tonner 12502 3/1939 -
Duke Power 105 GE 80-Tonner 38934 5/1973 -
Duluth, Winnipeg & Pacific 3605 Alco RS11 81939 9/1956 Renumbered 228 after celebration.
Durham & Southern 2000 EMD GP38-2 72670-1 12/1972 Renumbered after celebration to Seaboard Coast Line #556.
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 668 EMD SD38-2 756067-4 12/1975 -
Erie Lackawanna 3632 EMD SD45 33949 5/1968 Renumbered after celebration to Conrail #6097.
Erie Lackawanna 3638 EMD SDP45 34979 5/1969 Renumbered after celebration to Conrail #6669.
Erman Corporation 1776 Baldwin DS-4-4-750 74398 11/1940 Renumbered during celebration from #629 to #1776.
Farm Bureau Coop - Plymouth MDT (45T) 6099 3/1958 Built as Rohm & Haas #B.
Farmers Feed Co-Op Association - Plymouth MDT (45T) 6270 6/1961 Ex-Indiana Grain Group.
France Stone 1776-1976 GE 45-Tonner 15866 9/1942 -
"Freedom Train" 1776 Alco PA-1 74696 9/1947 Sold as Gulf, Mobile & Ohio #292.
General American Transporation 1704 GE 80-Tonner 32891 4/1957 Renumbered during celebration from #46704 to #704.
General Electric 76 GE 110-Tonner 39115 7/1976 Demonstrator
General Electric 1776 GE 25-Tonner 29040 8/1947 -
General Electric - GE 45-Tonner 32533 5/1956 -
Genesee & Wyoming 1776 Alco S4 80941 11/1953 "Spirit of 76"; renumbered for celebration from #36 to #1776.
Genesee & Wyoming 1976 Alco RS1 81345 5/1955 "Spirit of 76"; renumbered for celebration from #30 to #1976.
Georgetown Loop 15 GE 47-Tonner 27538 10/1943 -
Grand Trunk Western 1776 EMD GP38AC 37937 11/1971 Renumbered for celebration from #5808 to #1776.
High Country Railroad 4 Plymouth FL (6T) 3784 5/1935 "The Ant"
Hillsdale County Railway 4 EMD NW2 4941 4/1947 Renumbered for celebration from Reading #101 to Hillsdale County #1776.
Houston Belt & Terminal 31 EMD SW9 15129 8/1951 -
Ideal Cement 028 GE 45-Tonner 27631 2/1944 -
Ideal Cement 029 GE 44-Tonner 12913 9/1940 -
Illinois Central 1776 (1st) EMD GP38AC 35675 2/1970 "The American Eagle"; Renumbered for celebration from #9510 to #1776. Wrecked in March, 1975.
Illinois Central 1776 (2nd) EMD GP38AC 35671 2/1970 "The American Eagle". Renumbered for celebration from #9606 to #1776.
Indiana Harbor & Belt 1976 EMD NW2 7187 7/1949 "Independence Heritage Brotherhood"; Renumbered for celebration from #8776 to #1976.
Indianapolis Union Railway 200 EMD SW1500 32159 6/1966 Renumbered for celebration from #23 to #200. Became Conrail #9601.
Ingersoll-Rand 90 GE 45-Tonner 27634 3/1944 -
Ingersoll-Rand 91 AGEIR 60-Tonner - 6/1926 -
Inland Steel 76 EMD SW1 13547 11/1950 "Inland Salutes 76"
International Minerals & Chemicals 1200 Alco S2 74479 6/1946 #1200 renumbered #200 for Bicentennial celebration.
Iowa State University 90 GE 45-Tonner 18042 1/1944 "Happy Birthday USA"
Island Terminal 603 EMC SW1 985 1/1940 "1776 to 1976"
Jones & Laughlin Steel 76 GE 45-Tonner 27634 3/1944 Renumbered during celebration from #81 to #76.
Jones & Laughlin Steel 108 Alco S4 81993 8/1957 "1776 - 1976"
Kansas City Southern 616 EMD SD40 33460 8/1968 -
Kansas City Southern 642 EMD SD40-2 7226-6 2/1972 -
Kennecott Copper (Utah) 1 GE 80-Tonner 30006 7/1949 -
Kennecott Copper (Utah) 1 Alco RS3 78372 11/1950 "Spirit of 76"
Kennecott Copper (Utah) 778 GE 125-Tonner 33348 4/1958 "KCC Salutes USA 76"
Kennecott Copper (Arizona) 801 GE 35-Tonner 33104 9/1957 "Spirit of 76"
Kentucky & Indiana Terminal 76 EMD SW1500 36865 3/1971 -
Laurinburg & Southern 76 GE 70-Tonner 29288 3/1948 Renumbered for celebration from #109 to #96.
Long Island 252 EMD GP38-2 75609-3 1/1976 -
Maine Central 400-409 GE U18B 40720-40729 5/1975 The railroad named each unit after a notable person or location involved in the Revolutionary War but the locomotives did not wear a special Bicentennial livery.
Martin Marietta 801 Plym 50-Tonner 5714 9/1953 "Spirit of 76"
Masonite Corporation 102 GE 110-Tonner 34620 4/1963 -
Massachusetts Electric Construction Company 801 Davenport 15-Tonner 3388 2/1952 -
McKeesport Connecting 1002 Alco S2 75675 5/1948 "Spirit of America"
Milwaukee Road 156 EMD SD40-2 7396-27 8/1972 "1776 America's Bicentennial 1976"
Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy) 200 EMD GP40 34620 8/1968 "Happy Birthday United States 1776 - 1976 'Old Glory 200'"
Missouri Pacific (Chicago & Eastern Illinois) 1776 (2nd) EMD GP7 10247 4/1950 "Happy Birthday America"; Renumbered for celebration from C&EI #184 to MP #1776.
Missouri Pacific 1976 EMD GP18 27998 12/1962 "Happy Birthday America"
Missouri Portland Cement 1 EMD SW900 24573 5/1958 -
Modesto & Empire Traction 603 GE 70-Tonner 32279 1/1955 "Happy Birthday America"
Monessen Southwestern Railway 30 EMD SW900 30751 9/1965 "1776 - 1976"
Monongahela Connecting 136 Alco S4 80075 8/1952 "Faith in the USA"
Monongahela Connecting 424-425 EMD SW1001 756061-1, 75606-2 3/1976 "Faith in the USA"
Monongahela Railway 2002 EMD GP38 35076 6/1969 -
Monticello & Sangamon Valley 801 Davenport 44-Tonner 2301 6/1940 -
Montour Railroad 76 EMD SW9 16445 5/1952 "Faith in the USA"
National Railway Museum 0702 Plymouth JGT (20T) 5515 6/1950 Built as Wisconsin Public Service #0702.
Newburgh & South Shore 1018 EMD SW1001 36161 12/1969 "Spirit of America 76"
New York, Susquehanna & Western 1804 EMD RS1 76784 12/1947 "The American Revolution Bicentennial"
Norfolk & Western 1776 Alco C628 3379-3 12/1964 -
Norwood & St. Lawrence 10 GE 70-Tonner 32567 4/1956 -
Panama Railroad 661-663 EMD SW1200 27111-27113 6/1962 -
Panama Railroad 901-903 Alco RSC3 79362-64 11/1951 -
Patapsco & Back Rivers 147 Baldwin S12 74640 12/1949 "1776 1976"
Pillsbury Coropration 801 GE 45-Tonner 28323 10/1945 -
Pittsburgh & Lake Erie 1501 EMD GP7 17962 4/1953 Built as #5736; later renumbered 5929.
Pittsburgh & Shawmut 357 EMD GP7 16907 8/1952 -
Pittsburgh & Shawmut 1754, 1775, 1776 EMD SW9 18862, 18860, 19043 10/1953-11/1953 Renubmered for celebration from #233, #231 and #239.
Pittsburgh & Shawmut 1851, 1865-1866, 1891 EMD SW9 18965-18966, 18861, 18863 10/1953-11/1953 Renubmered for celebration from #235, #236, #232 and #234
Pittsburgh Plate Glass 9 GE 95-Tonner 30830 2/1951 "Spirit of 1776"
Port of Palm Beach Terminal 238 EMD SW1 1396 9/1941 -
Preamble Express 951 EMD E9A 20488 6/1955 Ex-Union Pacific #951.
Preamble Express 2312 GE U23B 36814 9/1968 Ex-Delaware & Hudson #2312.
Pullman Standard 9 GE 65-Tonner 13675 1/1951 "1776, 1976"
Railway & Industrial Services 9 Whitcomb 65-Tonner 61169 11/1951 "Spirit of 1776"
Rayonier Timber 76 Baldwin AS616 75472 5/1952 "Spirit of 1776"
Republic Steel 141 EMD SW900 20960 1/1956 Renumbered during celebration from #96 to #141.
Republic Steel 200 EMD SW9 14556 8/1951 Renumbered during celebration from #334 to #200.
River Terminal 76 EMD SW7 13675 1/1951 Renumbered for celebration from #62 to #76.
Rock Island 652 EMD E8A 15199 2/1952 "Independence". Designed by the 20th Century Railroad Club.
Sahara Coal 9 EMD SW1 18721 9/1953 -
Salt Lake, Garfield & Western DS1 GE 44-Tonner 15032 4/192 "Spirit of '76"
Seaboard Coast Line 1776 (2nd) GE U36B 37799 6/1971 "Independence"
Soo Line 1776 EMD GP35 30130 5/1965 Renumbered for celebration from #727 to #1776.
South Buffalo 76 (2nd) Alco S2 76511 12/1948 Renumbered for celebration from #84 to #76.
Southern Pacific 3197 EMD GP40P-2 74619-1 11/1974 "Spirit of '76"
Southern Pacific 6800 GE U25B 34700 4/1963 "Spirit of '76"
St Louis Southwestern Railway (Southern Pacific) 9389 EMD SD45T-2 74696-10 5/1975 "Spirit of 1776"
Steelton & Highspire 76 Alco S2 76163 8/1948 Renumbered for celebration from #63 to #76
Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis 1207 EMD SW9 16832 10/1952 --
Texas Industries 1776 Alco RSD1 72149 2/1945 -
Texas-Mexican Railway 1776 EMD GP7 11127 6/1950 Renumbered for celebration from #851 to #1776.
Toledo, Peoria & Western 700 EMD GP30 28534 9/1953 --
Trilby, San Antonio & Cypress 1776 GE 50-Tonner 13066 2/1941 Renumbered for celebration from #4 to #76.
Union Railroad 17 EMD SW1 8424 8/1949 Lettered "76".
United Tank Car 6 EMD SW1 8424 8/1949 "In the Spirit of '76"
US Corps of Engineers - GE 25-Tonner 15688 6/1942 -
US Steel (Utah) 29 BLW DS44-1000 73608 8/1948 "The Spirit of 1776"
US Steel (California) 76 Baldwin S12 75912 10/1953 "Happy Birthday America"
US Steel (New York) 76 Whitcomb 35-Tonner 60813 5/1948 -
US Steel (Illinois) 115 GE 65-Tonner 28830 4/1946 -
US Steel (Alabama) 200 EMD SW7 11988 7/1950 "1776-1976"
US Steel (Pennsylvania) 202 GE 100-Tonner 32499 5/1956 -
U.S. Steel (Michigan Lime Stone) 110 Alco S2 69563 9/1941 "1776"
U.S. Steel )Michigan Lime Stone) 124 Alco RS2 75267 9/1947 "1776"
Ventura County 4 GE 70-Tonner 28509 12/1946 "Happy Birthday America"
W.A. Smith Construction 1776 GE 44-Tonner - - -
Warrenton Railroad 7 GE 45-Tonner 17803 1/1943 "1776, 1876, 1976"
Weirton Steel 224 Alco S4 78798 6/1951 -
Western Pacific 1776 EMD GP40 37851 9/1971 Renumbered for celebration from #3540 to #1776.
Western Pacific 1976 EMD GP40 37852 9/1971 Renumbered for celebration from #3541 to #1976.
Westinghouse Electric 2 Plymouth MDT (40T) 6323 6/1962 -
Westinghouse Electric 76 EMD SW900m 695 10/1956 Renumbered during celebration from #106 to #76.
Weyerhaeuser 309 EMD GP7 18415 5/1953 -
Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel 1268-1269 EMD SW1200 20368-20369 5/1955 "1776-1976"
Woodward-Walker Lumber - Plymouth JLB (18-ton) 4299 1/1942 -
Yankeetown Dock 1776 EMD SD38-2 5795-2 11/1972 "1776 - 1976"; Renumbered for celebration from #21 to #1776.
Yankeetown Dock 1976 EMD SD38-2 5795-1 11/1972 "1776 - 1976"; Renumbered for celebration from #20 to #1976.
Youngstown Sheet & Tube (Indiana) 805 Baldwin S8 75332 2/1953 "The Spirit of '76"
Youngstown Sheet & Tube (Ohio) 1002 Alco S2 75241 6/1947 "Happy Birthday USA"

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    Nov 01, 26 11:22 PM

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    Wisconsin Central Ltd. diesels, 1987 to 2001. Thirty locomotives with a number fixed by another roster on this site or by a photograph. The fleet stood at 244 units. More than 100 were SD45s.

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  16. Wisconsin Central Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)

    Nov 01, 26 11:20 PM

    Wisconsin Central steam locomotives built since 1900. The quantity column is 156. Consolidations, Mikados, Atlantics, Ten-Wheelers, Pacifics, and Mountains. The Soo 4-8-4s stay on the Soo roster.

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  17. Wisconsin Central Railway: Map, History, Logo, Roster

    Nov 01, 26 11:15 PM

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    Two railroads kept the Wisconsin Central name. The 1871 line was leased to the Soo on April 1, 1909 and merged January 1, 1961. Wisconsin Central Ltd. ran from October 11, 1987 until Canadian National…

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  18. Watchmen Talks Extended at Los Angeles and Long Beach

    Nov 01, 26 10:41 PM

    Suggested meta description: The Pacific Maritime Association and ILWU Local 26 extended their contract through 5 p.m. Pacific Time on November 4, 2026, moving a November 1 deadline at the ports of Los…

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  19. LIRR September Ridership Tops the 2019 Mark

    Nov 01, 26 10:39 PM

    The Long Island Rail Road carried 102 percent of its September 2019 ridership in September 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul said on October 28. Metro-North carried 323,423 riders on October 24 and 25.

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  20. North Carolina Awards the Rogers Road Bridge in Wake Forest

    Nov 01, 26 10:22 PM

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    NCDOT on October 28, 2026 awarded a contract to Blythe Construction for a bridge over the CSX S-Line on Rogers Road in Wake Forest. Work can start as early as November 30, with opening aimed at fall 2…

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  21. Trinity Books 2,190 Railcar Orders in the Third Quarter

    Nov 01, 26 10:17 PM

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    Trinity Industries on October 29, 2026 reported 2,190 new railcar orders and 2,030 deliveries in the third quarter. The company expects industry deliveries below 25,000 railcars in 2026.

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  22. New York Central's Jade Green E Units

    Nov 01, 26 09:25 PM

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    In 1961 the New York Central tried Century Green, called Jade Green, on E8As 4053 and 4083 and E7B 4107. Dark gray became the passenger scheme. The green stayed on freight cars.

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  23. FRA Awards $1.24 Billion for Grade-Crossing Work in 37 States

    Nov 01, 26 12:48 PM

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    The Federal Railroad Administration on October 30, 2026, awarded $1.24 billion for 91 grade-crossing projects in 37 states under the Railroad Crossing Elimination program.

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  24. PATH Director Clarelle DeGraffe Will Retire at the End of 2026

    Nov 01, 26 12:43 PM

    Clarelle DeGraffe will retire at the end of 2026 after 37 years with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. James Sincaglia will succeed her as PATH director.

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  25. Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway Suspends Trains After a Rockslide

    Nov 01, 26 12:30 PM

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    The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway has suspended all trains indefinitely after a rockslide near Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, on October 31, 2026. Tickets through November 15 will be refunded.

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  26. Georgia Marks the Opening of the Gainesville Inland Port

    Nov 01, 26 12:06 PM

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    Norfolk Southern and Georgia Ports marked the Gainesville Inland Port on October 29, 2026. The terminal opened May 4 and can handle 200,000 containers a year at full build-out.

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  27. BLET Members Ratify Five-Year Deal on the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern

    Nov 01, 26 11:48 AM

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    Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen members have ratified a five-year agreement with CPKC covering Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern lines. Engineers' hourly pay rises 41.42 percent over the…

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  28. Canada Lists Roberts Bank Terminal 2 as a Project of National Interest

    Nov 01, 26 11:03 AM

    On October 30, 2026, Canada listed the Roberts Bank Terminal 2 container project at the Port of Vancouver as a project of national interest. The listing includes a widened causeway for rail.

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  29. Amtrak Finishes the First Street Tunnel Work South of Union Station

    Nov 01, 26 09:59 AM

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    Amtrak on October 26, 2026 finished nine days of work at A Interlocking in the First Street Tunnel south of Washington Union Station. Trains south of the station are back.

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  30. CPKC Asks the STB to End the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Review

    Nov 01, 26 12:23 AM

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    CPKC on October 30, 2026 asked the Surface Transportation Board to end its review of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, citing remarks by the Union Pacific chief executive.

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  31. U.S. Rail Traffic Rose 7.8 Percent in the Week Ending October 24

    Nov 01, 26 12:13 AM

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    U.S. railroads moved 538,503 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending October 24, 2026, up 7.8 percent from a year earlier, the Association of American Railroads said.

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  32. Schneider Will Shift Its Eastern Intermodal Freight to NS

    Nov 01, 26 12:06 AM

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    Schneider said October 29, 2026 that Norfolk Southern will be its primary eastern railroad. The move from CSX begins next month, with official implementation on January 1.

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  33. Union Pacific Dispatchers Will Vote on ATDA Representation

    Nov 01, 26 12:00 AM

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    The National Mediation Board has authorized a representation election for Union Pacific train dispatchers. The American Train Dispatchers Association announced the decision on October 29, 2026.

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  34. Wabash Diesel Roster (All-Time)

    Oct 31, 26 12:35 AM

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    Wabash diesel locomotives, each frame once, through the lease at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 1964.

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  35. Wabash Steam Roster (Built Since 1900)

    Oct 31, 26 12:30 AM

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    Wabash steam locomotives built since 1900. Moguls, Mikados, Mountains, and the O-1 Northerns.

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  36. Wabash Railroad: Map, Rosters, History, Logo

    Oct 31, 26 12:28 AM

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    History of the Wabash Railroad, from the Northern Cross of 1838 to the Norfolk & Western lease at 12:01 a.m. on October 16, 1964. Follow the Flag. Steam and diesel rosters are separate pages.

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  37. Court Clears $257.7 Million in Notes for Brightline Florida

    Oct 31, 26 12:18 AM

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    A New Jersey bankruptcy court on October 29, 2026 authorized $257.7 million in notes for Brightline Trains Florida. The operating company is not one of the 17 debtor holding companies.

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  38. Brightline West Still Waiting on a $6 Billion Federal Loan

    Oct 31, 26 12:11 AM

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    Brightline West said October 27, 2026 that it is still working through a $6 billion federal loan and still talks about opening in 2029. The Florida restructuring is a separate company.

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  39. BNSF Reopens the Gallup Subdivision After New Mexico Flooding

    Oct 31, 26 12:06 AM

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    BNSF said October 28, 2026 that both Gallup Subdivision main tracks are back after flooding near Laguna, New Mexico. The El Paso Subdivision was still out of service.

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  40. CSX Says Interchange Is Moving Again After a Technology Outage

    Oct 31, 26 12:01 AM

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    CSX said October 29, 2026 that interchange with other Class I railroads is moving again after a technology outage that began October 27. Dispatching and positive train control stayed up.

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  41. Baldwin "Baby Face" Locomotives: Specs, Photos, Roster

    Oct 30, 26 11:01 PM

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    Baldwin's Babyface cab on the early road diesels: 50 short-cab units, 1946-1948, plus the related Centipede. Construction numbers, specs, and the sharknose that followed.

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  42. California High-Speed Rail Chief Resigns

    Oct 30, 26 08:36 PM

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    Ian Choudri resigned October 28, 2026 as chief executive of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The board named Joe Stephenshaw interim chief executive.

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  43. The 1910 Portal Bridge Is Handed Over for Demolition

    Oct 30, 26 04:03 PM

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    Amtrak handed the 1910 Portal Bridge over for demolition on October 29, 2026, during the final cutover to Portal North. Regular NJ Transit and Amtrak schedules are expected November 15.

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  44. Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Merger Review Runs to 2027

    Oct 30, 26 03:59 PM

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    Union Pacific says the Surface Transportation Board's review of the Norfolk Southern merger gathers information through May 28, 2027. A closing still depends on board approval.

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  45. Amtrak Board Will Hear Restructuring Comments on November 10

    Oct 30, 26 03:41 PM

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    Amtrak's board will hear public comments on its restructuring on November 10, 2026, from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern. Written comments were due October 30. A proposal goes to the board in December.

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  46. Canadian Pacific Selkirk 5931 Restored in Calgary

    Oct 30, 26 01:36 PM

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    Heritage Park in Calgary unveiled a cosmetic restoration of Canadian Pacific 2-10-4 No. 5931 on October 27, 2026. One of two surviving Selkirks. It stays on display.

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  47. Gettysburg Railway to Host Steam for Lincoln

    Oct 30, 26 01:18 PM

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    Northern Central Railway of York No. 17 will recreate Lincoln's arrival at Gettysburg on November 18, 2026, with public steam trips November 19-21.

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  48. NC&StL No. 576 to Steam for the Public in Nashville

    Oct 30, 26 01:00 PM

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    Nashville Steam will fire NC&StL 4-8-4 No. 576 for the public on November 7, 2026, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 220 Willow Street. Admission is free.

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  49. Pennsylvania Railroad E8s Join the T1 Trust

    Oct 30, 26 12:38 PM

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    The T1 Trust has acquired former Pennsylvania Railroad E8A diesels 5702A and 5761A from the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society. They are bound for Cumberland.

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  50. Ligonier Valley Railroad: History, Roster, Timetable

    Oct 30, 26 12:03 PM

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    The Ligonier Valley Railroad ran 10.5 miles from Latrobe to Ligonier, Pennsylvania. Opened December 1, 1877. Last day August 31, 1952.

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