![The NTSB observed the inspection and disassembly of wheelset #4 from railcar 7200, which caused the 2021 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority derailment in Virginia. “In accordance with wheelset design, each wheel should have been flush against its bearing when mounted,” NTSB wrote in its January 2023 derailment investigation report. “Before disassembly, the inspection identified gaps between both wheels and their respective bearings: about 0.63 inches for the right-side wheel and about 1.10 inches for the left-side wheel [see above] … The back-to-back measurement was about 55.375 inches, or about 2 inches wider than the maximum design specification.” (NTSB Image)](https://www.v2.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/lead-1024x576.png)
“Together, the two locomotives represent the dual pillars of the American story: independence and innovation,” said CN, which also released a video of the units (watch below). “As they travel across CN’s U.S. rail network, spanning from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest and into the Great Lakes, they will carry not only freight, but also the message of America250 to communities across the country.”
CN, through its operations and capital investments, supports more than 25,000 jobs across the U.S., contributes approximately $4.1 billion to U.S. GDP, and generates $1.7 billion in tax revenues, the railroad noted.
The first locomotive, No. 1776 (above), features a “Screaming Eagle” design, CN reported, which “has deep historical roots, long associated with military service, where it has come to represent courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the nation.” As the nation emblem, CN said, “the eagle represents sovereignty and resolve; in flight, it represents vision, leadership and the enduring pursuit of liberty.”
The second locomotive, No. 2026 (above), “draws inspiration from the iconic design of Air Force One, a global symbol of precision, innovation and national security,” CN said. “The design reflects America’s leadership in engineering and advanced technology, underscoring the powerful link between transportation innovation and economic strength.”
“America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the ideals and vision that helped shape the United States of America and the innovation that continues to define it,” CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson said. “At CN, we are proud to have played a vital role in the country’s past and are excited to continue connecting U.S. industries, communities and supply chains for generations to come.”
“Railroads have been central to America’s growth since its earliest days,” said Patrick Whitehead, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at CN. “These locomotives are more than commemorative designs, they are rolling tributes to the resilience, ingenuity and pursuit of liberty that define the American experience. We are proud to pay tribute to this incredible milestone and to continue delivering safely and reliably for our customers and the communities across this great country.”
Other railroads and organizations have recently kicked off their own 250th anniversary celebrations. Canadian Pacific Kansas City, Lake State Railway Company, New Jersey Transit, Brightline, Sierra Northern Railway, and North Shore Railroad Company & Affiliates are among those that have rolled out locomotives with commemorative livery, and Union Pacific announced its first-ever coast-to-coast steam tour led by Big Boy No. 4014 and including its newest locomotive, No. 1776 – America250. Also, the B&O Railroad Museum has unveiled the restored American Freedom Train No. 1 (AFT No. 1), one of three locomotives that powered the 1975-76 American Freedom Train.
