Founded in 1845 and acquired in 1880 in a “hostile takeover” by the Louisville & Nashville (L&N), “NC&StL played an important role—for both sides—in the Civil War,” CSX CEO Joe Hinrichs reported via LinkedIn on Sept. 17. “The original rail line between Nashville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta is still an important part of our CSX network today.”
According to CSX, NC&StL “was a vital freight and passenger route, connecting communities across Tennessee and other Southern states.” Additionally, its “strategic links between Nashville, Chattanooga, and St. Louis significantly contributed to the urban and industrial growth of these cities, supporting industries such as agriculture, coal, and manufacturing,” CSX reported.
Like the first unit painted in a heritage scheme, CSX ES44AH No. 1827 that honors the Baltimore & Ohio, the livery features a hybrid design, starting on the cab with the Class I’s colors and transitioning to NC&StL’s logo and paint scheme (scroll down to watch video).
CSX previously unveiled units paying tribute to the Atlantic Coast Line; L&N; Chesapeake & Ohio; Conrail; Chessie System; Seaboard System; Monon Railroad; New York Central; Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad; Family Lines System; Western Maryland Railroad; Pere Marquette; Seaboard Coast Line; Pittsburgh & Lake Erie; Georgia Railroad; Seaboard Air Line; and Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad.
Clyde Marshall, a carman painter at the CSX Waycross Mechanical Shop, emphasized the dedication involved in this initiative, explaining, “With every heritage unit we work on, we make a point to try and honor those who have passed on who were part of the rail system’s heritage.”
The NC&StL locomotive will join the other commemorative units in revenue service on CSX’s 20,000-mile rail network that spans 23 states.
“Another great job by our team in Waycross, GA,” Joe Hinrichs said via LinkedIn. “Enjoy!”
