America's Semiquincentennial Locomotives

Somebody's Large Digital Image Here

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

The countdown is steaming (both figuratively and literally) towards America's 250th Anniversary celebration which takes place on 4 July 2026.

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.

While you were at it, be sure to visit the "Ghost of Centennials Past"
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 --
  • --
  • Ex-BNSF

    • --

    BNSF #1776

  • ES44ACM
  • GE --
  • --
  • Ex-BNSF

    • --

    BNSF #2026

  • ES44ACM
  • GE --
  • --
  • Ex-BNSF

    • 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 #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 & 1776

  • GE CM44AH
  • Ex-CSX 245 < nee CSX 7328; Loco lineage & data unknown

    • Photo courtesy of CSX Transportation

    CSX #250

  • GE CM44AH
  • --
  • --
  • Loco lineage & data unknown

    • Allan Williams, Jr photo at Waycross, Georgia

    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-GVT 3007 < GECX 3007 < nee 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 East Coast #250

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

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

    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

    • --- photo at ---- on -- 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

  • GP40MC-3
  • GMDD A3206
  • 1975
  • 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 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

    • --- 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 (4 Locos)

    • 250 - "Bald Eagle"
    • 8096 - "Soaring Eagle"
    • 8118 - "Stars & Stripes"
    • 8143 - "The Patriot"

    Release of units pending

    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

    Pennsylvania & Southern #16

  • SW1200RS
  • GMMD A1492
  • April 1956
  • Ex-Canadian Pacific 1210 < nee CP 8112

    • Michael T. Burkhart photo at Chambersburg, Maryland on 10 June 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

    • xxxxx photo at xxxxxx in xxxxxx 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
  • --
  • --
  • --

    • Locos release from paint shop slated for July and September

    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)

    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

    WATCO's South Kansas & Oklahoma #250

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

    • WATCO press photo at Chanute, Kansas

    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

    Wilmington & Western #1776

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

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



    * * * Credits * * *

    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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