Union Pacific 7400 – The “Pink Ribbon” Locomotive

Published: March 30, 2026

Among the most visually striking units in Union Pacific’s commemorative fleet is No. 7400, widely known as the “Pink Ribbon” locomotive. Introduced as a tribute to breast cancer awareness, the locomotive symbolizes both corporate support and personal commitment to a cause that has affected millions of lives across the United States.

Union Pacific C45ACCTE #7400, following its unveiling in April, 2009.

A Moving Tribute to Awareness

Union Pacific No. 7400 was created to honor the railroad’s long-standing partnership with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure and to recognize the many employees, families, and communities impacted by breast cancer.

The locomotive is more than a symbolic gesture—it reflects decades of involvement by Union Pacific employees. Since 2000, the railroad’s LEAD (Lead, Educate, Advocate, Develop) employee resource group has played a major role in supporting Komen events, organizing fundraisers, and promoting awareness campaigns across the company’s 23-state system.

This dedication earned Union Pacific recognition as a Komen Outstanding Volunteer Group, reinforcing the railroad’s commitment to advocacy and education.

Design & Symbolism

The locomotive’s most defining feature is its bold pink ribbon graphic, sweeping across both sides of the long hood. The ribbon represents:

Strength and resilience of those affected by breast cancer

Progress in research and awareness
Unity among employees and communities

Union Pacific described the design as “power on power”—pairing the strength of a modern freight locomotive with the emotional power of the awareness movement.

Development & Service History

No. 7400 was built by General Electric at its Erie, Pennsylvania plant and delivered in April 2009.

The locomotive was formally unveiled in September 2010 and quickly became one of the most recognized units in the Union Pacific fleet.

Unlike museum or display-only locomotives, No. 7400 is a fully operational mainline unit, regularly assigned to freight service across Union Pacific’s vast network. Over the years it has:

Traveled tens of thousands of miles system-wide
Appeared at major public events such as Komen Race for the Cure gatherings
Served as a rolling ambassador for awareness in cities across the West and Midwest

Its presence in everyday freight service ensures that the message of breast cancer awareness reaches a wide audience.

Role Within the Commemorative Fleet

Union Pacific has produced only a limited number of commemorative locomotives, each honoring a specific theme—presidents, the military, diversity, or major national events. No. 7400 stands apart as one of the few dedicated to a health and humanitarian cause, highlighting the railroad’s engagement beyond transportation and into community advocacy.

Technical Overview

Mechanically, No. 7400 is part of General Electric’s highly successful Evolution Series—modern, fuel-efficient locomotives designed for heavy freight service across North America. While the locomotive is listed by Union Pacific as a C45ACCTE, it is essentially a standard ES44AC but utilizes CTE software to reduce the tractive effort when used as a DPU.

Specifications
Builder	GE Transportation (now Wabtec)
Model	C45ACCTE
Series	Evolution Series
Road Number	7400
Serial Number	58643
Build Date	3/2009
Prime Mover	GEVO-12, 12-cylinder, 4-stroke diesel
Horsepower (gross)	4,400 hp
Horsepower (tractive)	Approximately 4,300–4,400 hp
Wheel Arrangement	C-C
Length	Approximately 73 ft. 2 in.
Width	Approximately 10 ft. 4 in.
Height	Approximately 15 ft. 6 in.
Weight	Up to 432,000 lbs. (216 tons)
Weight per Axle	72,000 lbs.
Track Gauge	56.5 in. (standard gauge)
Starting Tractive Effort	Approximately 180,000–200,000 lbf
Continuous Tractive Effort	Approximately 145,000–166,000 lbf
Dynamic Braking Effort	Approximately 95,000–98,000 lbf
Fuel Capacity	Approximately 5,000–5,300 gallons
Usable Fuel Capacity	Approximately 4,700–4,800 gallons

Legacy

No. 7400 remains one of the railroad’s most meaningful locomotives—not because of its mechanical uniqueness, but because of what it represents. As it continues to haul freight across thousands of miles of track, the Pink Ribbon locomotive serves as a rolling symbol of hope, awareness, and support, reminding observers that railroads—like the communities they serve—are deeply connected to the causes that matter most.

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