NS
NS on July 8 released a special video on its Juniata Locomotive Paint Shop in Altoona, Pa. (watch above). Handling everything from touch-ups to full paint jobs, the shop helps to “create the face” of the Class I.
Juniata recently rolled out a Thoroughbred Locomotive celebrating NS railroaders in a special scheme (pictured, below). Ten carmen painters completed the unit after approximately 430 hours, using 75 gallons of paint.
“[The Thoroughbred Locomotive is] dedicated to all the railroaders around the country, what they do each and every day for the communities they serve and the customers that we serve,” Juniata Paint Shop Carman Tim Lasure said in the video that featured three Juniata team members. “It’s just a special opportunity that very few people got to be a part of and it makes us at Juniata feel special, having the opportunity to work on it.”
“I appreciate the company showing their support for the railroaders, and I’m proud to be part of this shop, part of this group of guys here,” Gang Leader Ryan Cameron said in the video.
The shop also restores Heritage paint schemes on NS locomotives. As part of NS’s 30th anniversary in 2012, the Class I painted 20 new locomotives in the color schemes of predecessor railroads, including Conrail 8098 and Lackawanna 1074. Each paint scheme was modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs, according to NS. Lackawanna 1074 was recently restored (see below). It took the 10 Juniata carmen 750 hours to blast, prep, and repaint it, using more than 105 gallons of primer, color coat, and clear coat.
“The general public loves to see those [heritage units] released from Juniata,” NS Director Mechanical Operations Jennifer Bailey noted in the video.
“We are the face of Norfolk Southern,” pointed out Tim Lasure. “We are what our customers see, the businesses see around the area.” He added that the Juniata team works well together and takes pride in their efforts. “Everybody cares about what we do,” he said. “We care about the product that goes out the door.”
Summed up Ryan Cameron: “It’s real easy to lead these guys. They really know what they’re doing; they’re self-motivated; they get the job done; and they do it great.”
CPKC
CPKC’s Final Spike Anniversary Steam Tour special, led by The Empress, H-1b Hudson-type 4-6-4 2816, built by Montreal Locomotive Works in December 1930, has returned Canada, the railroad reported via social media (above). The tour was an historic three-nation round-trip journey that began in Calgary on April 24, 2024, to mark the one-year anniversary of CPKC’s official merger. The train delighted thousands who gathered trackside to see it go by and participate in special events along the way. It arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba, for its final event on July 6, and will finish the journey in Calgary, Alberta, on July 10.
Two EMD FP9A locomotives, 1401 and 4107, were included in the consist as protection power, and to assist the very heavy train on grades, if needed. Behind 2816, whose primary tender carried 4,600 gallons of fuel oil and 12,000 gallons of water, were two auxiliary water tenders, each holding 23,000 gallons; EMD FP9As 1401 and 1407; a tool car with a fully equipped machine shop; and 14 cars. The Empress’s 9,000-mile round trip journey between Calgary and Mexico City has never been done before in North America.
The Empress, by the numbers:
- Locomotive Number: 2816.
- Class: H1b.
- Builder: Montreal Locomotive Works.
- Date built: December 1930.
- Last revenue run: May 26, 1960.
- Type: Hudson.
- Wheel arrangement: 4 – 6 – 4.
- Tractive effort: 45,300 pounds (20,548 kg).
- Driving wheel diameter: 75 inches (190.5 cm).
- Total operating weight (including tender): 643,000 pounds (291,665 kg).
- Extreme length (including tender): 91 feet 2 inches (27.8 meters).
- Extreme height: 15 feet 3 inches (4.6 meters).
- Original cost: $116,555.
- Converted from coal to oil: March 1999.
The Empress was originally intended for fast freight and passenger service; the locomotive worked primarily in Eastern Canada for nearly 30 years before retiring on May 26, 1960. It served as a roving steam-powered ambassador for Canadian Pacific throughout Canada and the U.S. before being placed in storage in 2012. Now, after a decade of slumber, the iconic locomotive was carefully prepared to once again travel the rails; this time on CPKC’s three-nation, single-line transnational railroad.
