America 250 -- Rail Road edition

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Kenneth_2003
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10:39a, 6/4/26
AG
This was mentioned in the SpaceX thread but I don't want to derail that.
Its incredible what America's rail roads are doing this year to honor 250. Without a doubt the rail roads hold a special place in American history, they were and continue to be one of the juggernauts that have built this country.

Union Pacific.
BigBoy is currently on its second trip of the year from Cheyenne, WY and on it's way east and heading all the way to Pennsylvania. This is a big deal as the UP does not have any track east of the Mississippi. This is a remarkable collaborative effort between them and (I believe) Norfolk Southern. Keep in mind all of these heritage moves are done on the main line directly alongside revenue service. UP is devoting millions to keeping heritage rolling stock moving.

https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule







Custom 250 Liveries
Not much livery change for the 1776...


4547 hauling solid rocket booster parts for Artemis III




1616 has been around for a bit I think


Norfolk Southern
https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/newsroom/story-yard/norfolk-southern-unveils-americas-250th-locomotive-series
Not seeing actual photos of these units, I guess they might still be in the paint shops...



Short line and even the Canadians (I've seen their rolling stock on Kansas City Southern lines in Texas, so I think they've merged or are in some partnership)!

Canadian National #1776 at Homewood, Illinois on 5 March 2026 (Brian Caswell photo)


John Eagan photo on 5 March 2026


Arizona & Eastern -- Kevin Burkholder photo on 15 December 2025


Buffalo & Pittsburgh -- Kevin Burkholder photo on 23 November 2025


Canadian National 2026 -- John Eagan photo on 5 March 2026


CPKC #1776 -- CPKC Press photo


Chicago Fort Wayne & Eastern 4033 -- Kevin Kassay photo on 19 November 2025


Connecticut Southern 4039 -- Kevin Burkholder photo at St. Albans, Vermont on 31 October 2025


East Penn #1776 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo at Kennett Square, PA on 21 June 2025


Indiana & Ohio #4445 -- Erik Landrum photo at Norwood, POH on 28 December 2025


Kyle Railroad #4460 -- Chip Sherman photo at Goodland, Kansas on 9 November 2025


Lake State Railway #1776 -- Kevin Burkhart photo at Saginaw, Michigan on 6 October 2025


Minnesota Commercial #76 -- Wayne Hall photo (courtesy of Minnesota Commercial) at Minneapolis, MN on 20 November 2025


Nevada Northern #250 -- Jacob Lyman photo at East Ely, Nevada on 25 September 2025


New Jersey Transit #4526 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo on 21 December 2025


North Shore #2238 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo on 21 December 2025


Pennsylvania & Southern #16 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo at Chambersburg, Maryland on 10 June 2025


Providence & Worcester #2325 -- Marc Scotti photo at Chili Junction, New York on 17 January 2026


Wheeling & Lake Erie -- Photo Courtesy of W&LE.

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Ducks4brkfast
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10:41a, 6/4/26
AG
Let's get the UPRR / NS acquisition approved as a cherry on the top.
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flown-the-coop
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10:42a, 6/4/26
AG
All the airlines on down to even JSX are debuting their America 250 liveries.




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Rubicante
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10:43a, 6/4/26
AG
I wonder how long it would take to build the transcontinental railroad with today's quagmire of bureaucracy.
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aezmvp
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10:46a, 6/4/26
Man I know there are good reasons for the modern design of rail engines but those Art Deco engines... man there was something about those bad boys.
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torrid
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10:48a, 6/4/26
AG
They should modify a train engine to resemble Air Force One.
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flown-the-coop
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In reply to torrid • 10:53a, 6/4/26
AG
torrid said:
They should modify a train engine to resemble Air Force One.

Only if done in the new livery for AF1… which debuts a month from today per rumor.
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Sid Farkas
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10:57a, 6/4/26
AG
Keep an eye on the squad and the rest of the America-hating Dem party as the celebration unfolds. There's going to be some great clips of those guys tripping over themselves to see who can say the most idiotic things at the worst possible moment.
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Rex Racer
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11:01a, 6/4/26
AG
This is the kind of thing that the country did during the Bicentennial. Love to see it!
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Street Fighter
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In reply to Ducks4brkfast • 11:03a, 6/4/26
AG
Ducks4brkfast said:
Let's get the UPRR / NS acquisition approved as a cherry on the top.

Why? So they can rape people on rates?
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OldArmy71
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11:29a, 6/4/26
AG
It is a pity that passenger travel on trains has disappeared.

To paraphrase a line, How can you not be romantic about trains?

My grandfather (died in 1943) worked for the Santa Fe as a fireman and hostler, based in Somerville.

In those days people went everywhere by train rather than car.

As we all know, the town is called College Station because it was a station on the RR line.
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to torrid • 11:30a, 6/4/26
AG
torrid said:
They should modify a train engine to resemble Air Force One.

UP 4141 for GH Bush


Which of course is now on permanent display at the library. She entered service in that livery in the mid 2000's. If you were on campus at that time the UP built a spur and parked her next to the Rec Center in the space between the Rec Center and the now WCG. So this was before the garage was built. Then of course the unit was refreshed and used as the funeral train bringing President Bush back to campus for his final resting place.
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to flown-the-coop • 11:35a, 6/4/26
AG
flown-the-coop said:
All the airlines on down to even JSX are debuting their America 250 liveries.






Feels like the kind of project that painters both absolutely love and dread at the same time! SOOOOO much custom and specialty masking!
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YouBet
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11:43a, 6/4/26
AG
That Canadian National with the eagle is badass.
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torrid
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 11:44a, 6/4/26
AG
Kenneth_2003 said:
torrid said:
They should modify a train engine to resemble Air Force One.

UP 4141 for GH Bush


Which of course is now on permanent display at the library. She entered service in that livery in the mid 2000's. If you were on campus at that time the UP built a spur and parked her next to the Rec Center in the space between the Rec Center and the now WCG. So this was before the garage was built. Then of course the unit was refreshed and used as the funeral train bringing President Bush back to campus for his final resting place.

Thanks for clearing that up for me.
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Ag87H2O
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 11:53a, 6/4/26
AG
Kenneth_2003 said:
Feels like the kind of project that painters both absolutely love and dread at the same time! SOOOOO much custom and specialty masking!

That plane is beautiful. Love that video.
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No Spin Ag
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 12:02p, 6/4/26
Kenneth_2003 said:
This was mentioned in the SpaceX thread but I don't want to derail that.
Its incredible what America's rail roads are doing this year to honor 250. Without a doubt the rail roads hold a special place in American history, they were and continue to be one of the juggernauts that have built this country.

Union Pacific.
BigBoy is currently on its second trip of the year from Cheyenne, WY and on it's way east and heading all the way to Pennsylvania. This is a big deal as the UP does not have any track east of the Mississippi. This is a remarkable collaborative effort between them and (I believe) Norfolk Southern. Keep in mind all of these heritage moves are done on the main line directly alongside revenue service. UP is devoting millions to keeping heritage rolling stock moving.

https://www.up.com/about-us/history/steam/schedule







Custom 250 Liveries
Not much livery change for the 1776...


4547 hauling solid rocket booster parts for Artemis III




1616 has been around for a bit I think


Norfolk Southern
https://www.norfolksouthern.com/en/newsroom/story-yard/norfolk-southern-unveils-americas-250th-locomotive-series
Not seeing actual photos of these units, I guess they might still be in the paint shops...



Short line and even the Canadians (I've seen their rolling stock on Kansas City Southern lines in Texas, so I think they've merged or are in some partnership)!

Canadian National #1776 at Homewood, Illinois on 5 March 2026 (Brian Caswell photo)


John Eagan photo on 5 March 2026


Arizona & Eastern -- Kevin Burkholder photo on 15 December 2025


Buffalo & Pittsburgh -- Kevin Burkholder photo on 23 November 2025


Canadian National 2026 -- John Eagan photo on 5 March 2026


CPKC #1776 -- CPKC Press photo


Chicago Fort Wayne & Eastern 4033 -- Kevin Kassay photo on 19 November 2025


Connecticut Southern 4039 -- Kevin Burkholder photo at St. Albans, Vermont on 31 October 2025


East Penn #1776 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo at Kennett Square, PA on 21 June 2025


Indiana & Ohio #4445 -- Erik Landrum photo at Norwood, POH on 28 December 2025


Kyle Railroad #4460 -- Chip Sherman photo at Goodland, Kansas on 9 November 2025


Lake State Railway #1776 -- Kevin Burkhart photo at Saginaw, Michigan on 6 October 2025


Minnesota Commercial #76 -- Wayne Hall photo (courtesy of Minnesota Commercial) at Minneapolis, MN on 20 November 2025


Nevada Northern #250 -- Jacob Lyman photo at East Ely, Nevada on 25 September 2025


New Jersey Transit #4526 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo on 21 December 2025


North Shore #2238 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo on 21 December 2025


Pennsylvania & Southern #16 -- Michael T. Burkhart photo at Chambersburg, Maryland on 10 June 2025


Providence & Worcester #2325 -- Marc Scotti photo at Chili Junction, New York on 17 January 2026


Wheeling & Lake Erie -- Photo Courtesy of W&LE.



Please know that I'll be stealing some of these to use as wallpapers on my devices.
There are in fact two things, science and opinion; the former begets knowledge, the later ignorance. Hippocrates
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Ducks4brkfast
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In reply to Street Fighter • 12:13p, 6/4/26
AG
Street Fighter said:
Ducks4brkfast said:
Let's get the UPRR / NS acquisition approved as a cherry on the top.

Why? So they can rape people on rates?

What do you mean?
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Tree Hugger
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12:21p, 6/4/26
AG
The Texas and Pacific 610 was restored and put into service in 1976 for the "American Freedom Train"

I would have loved to see it in action for the 250th, but sadly it's running days are over, it's been in a barn at the TSRR for decades but does get pulled out for occasional viewings. I have family ties to this engine on both sides so it holds a special place for me. I even have pics of me and my dad touring it back in 1992, it was cool sitting where my paternal great-grandfather and maternal grandfather sat when they worked for T&P.
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Old Sarge
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12:22p, 6/4/26
AG
All those trains look cool, and it would be neat to see one in the wild. That is unless, they stop with cars blocking me, and or backing up for a switch.

Then I'll curse their existence with metal melting profanities just like the others.
"Green" is the new RED.
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CampSkunk
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In reply to Kenneth_2003 • 12:33p, 6/4/26
AG
If you're ever driving through Cheyenne, the UP Museum is well worth a 2-3 hour stop.
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Street Fighter
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In reply to Ducks4brkfast • 12:36p, 6/4/26
AG
Ducks4brkfast said:
Street Fighter said:
Ducks4brkfast said:
Let's get the UPRR / NS acquisition approved as a cherry on the top.

Why? So they can rape people on rates?

What do you mean?

Charge more for moving what you make due to decreased competition.
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Ducks4brkfast
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In reply to Street Fighter • 12:40p, 6/4/26
AG
Street Fighter said:
Ducks4brkfast said:
Street Fighter said:
Ducks4brkfast said:
Let's get the UPRR / NS acquisition approved as a cherry on the top.

Why? So they can rape people on rates?

What do you mean?

Charge more for moving what you make due to decreased competition.

UPRR and NF's networks don't overlap. They're not really even competitors. Struggling to land the plane on how exactly this decreases competition.
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BonfireNerd04
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In reply to Rubicante • 12:49p, 6/4/26
Rubicante said:
I wonder how long it would take to build the transcontinental railroad with today's quagmire of bureaucracy.


Take California's high speed rail project and add 7-10 more states to it.
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Street Fighter
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In reply to Ducks4brkfast • 1:16p, 6/4/26
AG
Ducks4brkfast said:
Street Fighter said:
Ducks4brkfast said:
Street Fighter said:
Ducks4brkfast said:
Let's get the UPRR / NS acquisition approved as a cherry on the top.

Why? So they can rape people on rates?

What do you mean?

Charge more for moving what you make due to decreased competition.

UPRR and NF's networks don't overlap. They're not really even competitors. Struggling to land the plane on how exactly this decreases competition.

It will, doesn't matter if they overlap with each other, it still alters the market. It will reduce routing options, possible interchange access, and reduce what little leverage shippers have. It could also cascade into more consolidation, further reducing the sparce competition that exists in today's market.
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Ducks4brkfast
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In reply to Street Fighter • 1:22p, 6/4/26
AG
Okay, well rates didn't increase as a result of the CP-KCS merger, but what do I know ~
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to CampSkunk • 1:37p, 6/4/26
AG
CampSkunk said:
If you're ever driving through Cheyenne, the UP Museum is well worth a 2-3 hour stop.


I'll keep that in mind! Never been through there when it wasn't for work so the timeline wasn't "mine."
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agnerd
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In reply to Rubicante • 5:19p, 6/4/26
AG
Rubicante said:
I wonder how long it would take to build the transcontinental railroad with today's quagmire of bureaucracy.

There's a meme for that:


But in all seriousness, They have about 80 of 120 miles ready for the rails to be installed. So 8 miles/yr would take 238 years. If we start now (and put Californians in charge), it might be ready by our 500th birthday...
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Tailgate88
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In reply to flown-the-coop • 5:41p, 6/4/26
AG
flown-the-coop said:
torrid said:
They should modify a train engine to resemble Air Force One.

Only if done in the new livery for AF1… which debuts a month from today per rumor.


The new AF1 is ready? I heard it was pushed off to 2028?
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Kenneth_2003
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In reply to Tailgate88 • 5:58p, 6/4/26
AG
Tailgate88 said:
flown-the-coop said:
torrid said:
They should modify a train engine to resemble Air Force One.

Only if done in the new livery for AF1… which debuts a month from today per rumor.


The new AF1 is ready? I heard it was pushed off to 2028?

I've heard the Quatar plane could be ready soon for domestic use. Not sure how that works as we saw on 9/11 that even "close" to home the President needs everything AF1 can provide him (and on that day more that was quickly upgraded).
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flown-the-coop
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In reply to Tailgate88 • 5:59p, 6/4/26
AG
VC-25B Bridge (Qatari bribery spy plane) is scheduled to be debuted around July 4th.

Not sure if will fly Trump. I would think it's got more testing to do and would be confined to domestic service (just my speculation), but the photo op should be there.
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tk for tu juan
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6:13p, 6/4/26
North Shore 2238 has portions of both America the Beautiful and God Bless America shown on that one side. Amber waves of grain and oceans white with foam
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IIIHorn
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In reply to CampSkunk • 10:03p, 6/4/26
CampSkunk said:
If you're ever driving through Cheyenne, the UP Museum is well worth a 2-3 hour stop.


Hell on wheels?


( ...voice punctuated with a clap of distant thunder... )
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