America's Semiquincentennial Locomotives

Somebody's Large Digital Image Here

Canadian National #1776 at Homewood, Illinois on 7 March 2026 (Brian Caswell photo)

Some olders fans might recall that during the Bicentennial years (1974-1977) more than 250 locomotives sported some type of patriotic paint scheme; Seaboard Coast Line U36B #1776 was the first to mark the very special occasion, the year was 1970. For the 2026 celebration Pennsylvania & Southern #16 appears to alreday hold that distinction. Of course, many observers are wondering to what degree will today's railroads and industry participate -- Only time will tell. Nonetheless with your assistance, we will attempt to document each new Semiquincentennial locomotive as it is introduced.
Photo Gallery

American Freedom Train #250

  • 4-8-4 T-1
  • Reading Railroad shop
  • September 1945
  • Ex-Reading 2100

    • Roger Durfee photo on 27 June 2026 at Midwest Rail Preservation (Cleveland)

    Aberdeen Carolina & Western 5520

  • SD50
  • GMDD A4725
  • 1989
  • Ex-CN 5520

    • Chris Acuman photo AC&W on 2 July 2026 (photo courtesy of AC&W)

    Amtrak 2143

  • Acela 2
  • Alstom --
  • --
  • Power car for Amtrak's 250 Freedom Train

    • Kevin Burkholder photo on 7 May 2026

    Amtrak 2147

  • Acela 2
  • Alstom --
  • --
  • Power car for Amtrak's 250 Freedom Train

    • Bill Kalkman photo at Rosedale, Maryland on 12 May 2026

    Amtrak

  • Amtrak has elected to mark the occasion by applying "250th" and "Freedom" decals on several different locomotives, including:
  • 250th sticker -- alc-42s #310, 318, 366, 372, 380
  • 250th sticker -- acs-64s #626, 644
  • Freedom sticker -- alc-42s #309, 312, 317, 346
  • Freedom sticker -- acs-64 # 649, 657, 662, 668
  • Source: JD McGill
    • XXX

    Arizona & Eastern #4028

  • B40-8
  • GE 46909
  • 3/1992
  • Ex-BNSF 563 < nee ATSF 563

    • Kevin Burkholder photo on 15 December 2025

    Berkshire & Eastern #5946

  • B40-8
  • GE 45963
  • 4/88
  • Ex--MEC 5946 < GECX 9055 < CSX 5946 < nee NYSW 024

    • Kevin Burkholder photo in May 2026

    BNSF #250

  • ES44ACM
  • GE 66909
  • 2026
  • Ex-BNSF 3379

    • Kevin Burkholder photo in May 2026

    BNSF #1776

  • ES44ACM
  • GE 66910
  • January 2026
  • Ex-BNSF 3380

    • Kevin Burkholder photo in May 2026

    BNSF #2026

  • ES44ACM
  • GE 66911
  • 2026
  • Ex-BNSF 3381

    • Jeff Terry photo on 19 May 2026

    Buffalo & Pittsburgh #4434

  • C44-9W
  • GE 51620
  • 12/98
  • Ex-BP 4885 < nee BNSF 4885

    • Kevin Burkholder photo on 23 November 2025

    Canadian National 1776

  • ES44AC
  • GE 63868
  • 12/15
  • Ex-CN 3977 < nee CREX 1506

    • John Eagan photo on 5 March 2026

    Canadian National 2026

  • ES44AC
  • GE 61420
  • 9/12
  • Ex-CN 2761 < CREX 1215

    • John Eagan photo on 5 March 2026

    California Western 1776

  • GP10
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex--

    • California Western press photo

    Carolina Coastal 1776

  • GP38-2
  • EMD 35266
  • September 1969
  • Ex-CLNA 3802 < NS 5016 < nee Sou 2736

    • CLNA Railway photo

    CPKC #250

  • ET44AC
  • GE 66757
  • x/2026
  • --

    • ED Weisensel photo on 30 May 2026

    CPKC #704

  • ET44AC
  • GE 66759
  • x/2026
  • --

    • Daniel Fredrickson photo at DesPlaines, Illinois on 29 April 2026

    CPKC #776

  • ET44AC
  • GE 66758
  • x/2026
  • Sublettered KCS

    • David Hawkins photo at Fort Worth, TX on 18 April 2026

    CPKC #1776

  • ET44AC
  • GE 66756
  • x/2026
  • Sublettered KCS

    • David Hawkins photo at Fort Worth, TX on 8 April 2026

    CPKC #7626

  • ET44AC
  • GE 66760
  • x/2026
  • Sublettered KCS

    • David Hawkins photo at Fort Worth, TX on 8 April 2026

    Chicago Fort Wayne & Eastern 4033

  • C40-8W
  • GE 47233
  • February 1993
  • Ex-BNSF 4033

    • Kevin Kassay photo on 19 November 2025 at Hammond, Indian

    Cincinnati Scenic Railroad 1776

  • GP30
  • EMD 27649
  • November 1962
  • Ex-Raritan Central 5 < CSX 4247 < nee B&O 6932

    • Allan Williams, Jr. photo at Midwest Preservation

    Connecticut Southern 4039

  • B40-8W
  • GE 46911
  • March 1992
  • Ex-LTEX 567/AOK 567/BNSF 567/ATSF 567

    • Kevin Burkholder photo at St. Albans, Vermont on 31 October 2025

    CSX #250

  • GE CM44AH
  • --

    • Allan Williams, Jr photo at Waycross, Georgia

    CSX #2026

  • GE CM44AH
  • --
  • --
  • Ex-CSX 595/7599

    • John Regan photo at Philadelphia, PA on 1 August 2026

    Cumbres & Toltec Scenic #114

  • MLW DL535E
  • 6123-01 to 03
  • July 1982
  • Ex-U.S. Gypsum < WP&Y 114

    • Scott Gibbs photo at Antonio, Colorado on 17 April 2026

    Delaware-Lackawanna #1776

  • MLW M630
  • 6044-01
  • 12/70
  • Ex-DL 3007 < GECX 5000 < nee PGE/BCOL 705

    • Photo courtesy of Genesse Valley Transportation and the Delaware-Lackawanna on 28 May 2026.

    East Penn #1776

  • GP9
  • EMD 21873
  • October 1956
  • Ex-ESPN 1700 < CR GP10 7557 < CR/PC 7068 < nee PRR GP9 7068

    • Michael T. Burkhart photo at Kennett Square, PA on 21 June 2025

    Florida Central #1776

  • GP10
  • EMD--
  • --
  • Ex--

    • Marc Scotti photo at Orlando, Florida 10 July 2026

    Florida East Coast #250

  • ES44AC
  • GE 62713
  • November 2014
  • Ex--FEC 814

    • Ilan Tarrab photo at New Smyrna Beach, Florida 17 June 2026

    GATX #1776

  • GP38-2
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex--GMTX 2202 ?

    • Kevin Burkholder photo

    Grand Canyon #365

  • F40PHR
  • EMD 807050-5
  • 5/81
  • Ex-LTEX 364 < VRE 365 < Amtrak 365

    • Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel photo

    Indiana & Ohio #4445

  • C44-9W
  • GE 51780
  • May 1999
  • Ex-BNSF 4445

    • Erik Landrum photo at Norwood, POH on 28 December 2025

    Iowa Interstate #510

  • ES44AC
  • GE 59429
  • September 2008
  • Acquired new

    • Erik Rasmussen photo at South Amana, Iowa on 25 June 2026

    Kyle Railroad #4460

  • C44-9W
  • GE 50786
  • November 1998
  • Ex-KCS 4447 < nee BNSF 4932

    • Chip Sherman photo at Goodland, Kansas on 9 November 2025

    Lake State Railway #1776

  • EMD SD70M
  • 996168-135
  • May 2001
  • Ex-INDR 4670 < nee UP 4670

    • Kevin Burkhart photo at Saginaw, Michigan on 6 October 2025

    Lake Superior Railroad Museum #250

  • EMD GP9
  • 21090
  • February 1956
  • Ex--ILSX 245 < BN 1868 < nee NP 245

    • Kent Rengo photo at Duluth, Minnesota in June 2026

    Long Island Rail Road

  • DM30AC
  • EMD 956623-22
  • 1999
  • Acquired new; dual mode operation

    • Jornado photo at Queens on 17 June 2026

    Maine Narrow Gauge

  • 23-Ton
  • GE 30491
  • August 1949
  • Ex-Edaville RR 1 < nee Whitin Machine Works 5

    • Maine Narrow Gauge photo on 1 July 2026

    Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority #1776

  • F40PH-3C
  • GMDD A3206 / 0990-12
  • 1975 / 2025
  • EX-MBTA 1131 < nee CN 9571>

    • Kevin Burkholder photo at Wareham, MA on 5 June 2026

    Metra #525

  • SD75MACH
  • EMD 998109-23
  • 998109-23
  • Ex-KCS 3922 < nee TFM 1622

    • Rob Schreiner photo at Rondout, Illinois on 30 June 2026

    Metro North #250

  • P32AC-DM
  • GE 52840
  • 8/2001
  • Acquired new

    • Bill McBride photo at Montrore, NY on 4 May 2026

    Minnesota Commercial #76

  • GE B36-7
  • 44973
  • July 1985
  • Ex-TTI 5884 < nee SBD 5884

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

    Morristown & Erie #26

  • MP15DC
  • EMD 767051-7
  • June 1977
  • Ex-ME 2354 < NS 2354 < nee Sou 2354

    • Jeffrey Hess photo at Whippany, New Jersey on 21 June 2026

    <

    Naugatuck Railroad

  • GE U23B
  • 41593
  • 6/77
  • Ex-P&W 2203 < nee Conrail 2798

    • Ryan Schmelzing photo at Waterburt, Connecticut on 12 June 2026

    Nevada Northern #250

  • SD9E
  • EMD 21293
  • February 1956
  • Ex-NN 4426 < SP 4426 < SP 3942 < nee SP 5468

    • Jacob Lyman photo at East Ely, Nevada on 25 September 2025

    New Era Railroad #2026

  • GP9
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex--

    • JT Rail Photography at Warren, Indiana on 9 July 2026

    New Jersey Transit #4526

  • ALP-45DP
  • Bombardier 34978
  • Siemens
  • Purchased New

    • Russell Sullivan photo at Meadows, New Jersey on 23 December 2025

    New York Susquehanna & Western #3634

  • SD40M-2
  • EMD 37150
  • 4/71
  • Ex--NYSW 6542 < nee BN 6542

    • Riviannrailfan photo

    Norfolk Southern 250 "The Eagle"

  • SD70ACe
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex---

    • A.K. Myers photo

    Norfolk Southern 1776 "Liberty Bell"

  • SD70ACe
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex--

    • C.J. Bolish photo

    Norfolk Southern 2026 "Lady Liberty"

  • SD70ACe
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex---

    • Marc Lingenfelter photo

    Norfolk Southern 8118 "Stars & Stripes"

  • SD70ACe
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex---

    • Bill Kalkman photo at Hagerstown, Maryland on 6 August 2026

    Norfolk Southern (2 Locos)

    • 8096 - "Soaring Eagle"
    • 8143 - "The Patriot"

    Release of units pending

    Northeast Narrow Gauge Society #250

  • 3.5-Ton (TGT)
  • Plymouth 5962
  • August 1956
  • Hercules Power (U.S. Army Radnor)

    • Thomas Beckham photo on 3 July at Ralston, PA

    North Carolina DOT #1776

  • F59PH
  • GMDD A4759
  • December 1988
  • Ex-NC DOT 1859 < nee GO Transit 534

    • -- photo on --

    NC Transportation Museum #5951

  • 25-Tonner
  • GE --
  • --
  • Ex-Duke Power 5951

    • Bill McBride photo at Spencer, NC on 30 August 2026

    North Shore #2238

  • SW1500
  • EMD 32158
  • November 1966
  • Ex-NS 2238 < Conrail 9600 < Indianapolis Union 22 < nee EMD Demonstrator 105

    • Michael T. Burkhart photo on 21 December 2025

    OmniTrax: Chicago Rail Link #4200

  • GP40-2WL
  • GMMD --
  • --
  • Ex-Huron Bay Central < nee CN

    • OmniTRax press photo

    Paducah & Louisville #1776

  • SD70M
  • EMD 996190-7
  • 6/2000
  • Ex-PAL 4125 < nee UP 4125

    • Lee Gordon photo at Osborn Yard, Louisville, KY on 21 August 2026

    Pennsylvania & Southern #15

  • SW1500
  • EMD 4508-28
  • xApril 1972
  • Ex-LTEX 1533 < UPY 1191 < nee SP 2618

    • Don Kallman photo at Salem, Pennsylvania on 9 November 2025

    Pennsylvania Trolley Museum 1776

  • PCC Streetcar
  • St. Louis Car --
  • 1945
  • Ex-Port Authority Transit 1779

    • Press photo at Washington, PA on 27 June 2026

    Providence & Worcester #2324

  • GP39-2
  • EMD 806037-37
  • 4/81
  • Ex-BNSF 2736 < nee BN 2737

    • Ray Ford photo at Millbury, MA on 12 May 20226

    Providence & Worcester #2325

  • GP39-2
  • EMD 74664-30
  • 3/75
  • Ex-BNSF 2835 < ATSF 3431 < ATSF 3646 < ATSF 3146 < nee ATSF 3646

    • Marc Scotti photo at Chili Junction, New York on 17 January 2026

    Rapid City Pierre & Eastern #6200

  • C44-9W
  • GE 50812
  • 12/98
  • Ex-GECX 3939 < nee BNSF 4958

    • Kevin Burkholder photo at Huron South Dakota in May 2026

    Rapid City Pierre & Eastern #6201

  • C44-9W
  • GE 50790
  • 1998
  • Ex-GECX 3958 < nee BNSF 4936

    • Ross Heeren photo at Lake Preston, South Dakota on 2 August 2026.

    Reading & Northern #1776

  • SD40-2
  • EMD 786252-68
  • April 1980
  • Ex-Reading & Northern 3061 < BNSF 7935 < BN/Colorado & Southern 7935

    • Evan Kerr photo at Reading, PA on 12 November 2025

    Reading & Northern #2026

  • GP38-2
  • EMD --
  • 1971
  • Ex-Reading & Northern #2010 < NS , nee Southern GP38>

    • Mike Castellow photo at Port Clinton, Pennsylvania on 27 June 2026

    RJ Corman #1776 & 2026

  • C40-8W
  • --
  • --
  • --

    • Trey Holland photo at Spencer, North Carolina in August 2026

    Sierra Northern #250

  • RP20BD
  • Railpower
  • 2014
  • Ex-SERA 52 < Yolo < BNSF 1324 ATSF 2115 < nee ATSF GP7 2794 (17449, 10/52)

    • Sierra Northern press photo at Oakdale, Ca;lifornia on 29 April 2026

    Sun Rail 110

  • MP36PH-3S
  • MPI
  • November 2019
  • Ex-??

    • Marc Scotti photo at Winter Park, Florida in October 2025

    The Prairie Line #1776

  • GP38-2
  • EMD --
  • --
  • Ex-- ??

    • Mike Roth photo at St.Louis, Missouri on 30 June 2025

    Union Pacific #1776

  • SD70M
  • EMD 996190-46
  • X/2000
  • Ex-UP 4164

    • UP website (download)

    Union Pacific #4547

  • SD70M
  • EMD --
  • X/2000
  • Lettered for President Donald Trump; ex-UP --

    • Kevin Burkholder photo at Spencer, North Carolina on 27 August 2026

    Virginia Museum of Transportation N&W 611

  • 4-8-4 Northern
  • Norfolk & Western (Roanoke Shops)
  • May 1950
  • Ex-Norfolk & Western 611

    • Don Kalkman photo at Afton, Virgina 17 June 2026

    Wabash Valley #250

  • 45-Tonner
  • GE 28370
  • May 1947
  • Ex-Freight Car America < Duke Energy < nee Public Service Co. of Indiana

    • Kyle Barnhart photo at Terre Haute, Indiana

    Wabtec #1950

  • 65-Tonner
  • GE --
  • --/1950
  • Ex--

    • Photo by: All Trains Great and Small

    WATCO's South Kansas & Oklahoma #250

  • SD60M
  • EMD 876030-12
  • April 1988
  • Ex-WAMX 6071 < nee UP 6071

    • WATCO press photo at Chanute, Kansas

    Western Maryland #250

  • SW7
  • EMD 9756
  • June 1950
  • Ex-Conemauh & Black Lick 111

    • Western Maryland Scenic press release photo

    Wheeling & Lake Erie #1776

  • SD40-2
  • EMD 786263-43
  • December 1979
  • Ex-UP 3651

    • Robert E. Farkas photo at Hartville, Ohio on 16 September 2025

    Williams Grove RR #8

  • 25-Ton
  • Whitcomb 61194 or 61195
  • 1953
  • Ex-Pennsylvania Power & Light

    • Michael T. Burkhart photo at Williams Grove, PA on 1 August 2026

    Wilmington & Western #1776

  • SW1
  • EMD 1021
  • February 1940
  • Ex-Lehigh Valley 114

    • Michael T. Burkhart photo at Yorklyn, Delaware on 5 Jul 2026

    Ghosts of Centennials past

    Be sure to visit each of the Bicentennial units that are also participating in the 250th celebration:

    Bill McBride photo at Spencer, North Carolina in August 2026

    Credits:

    Reference Sources:

    • Facebook.com
    • Flickr.com
    • RRpicturesarchive.Net
    • TrainOrders.net
    • TDS rosters
    • Wikipedia
      • Special thanks to contributors: Kevin Burkholder and John Wendelin

    Originally uploaded: 22 June 2025 by R. Craig

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