No. 1616 is the second presidential locomotive in UP’s Heritage Fleet, joining No. 4141, which was created in 2005 to honor President George H.W. Bush and only the sixth locomotive at the time to be painted in colors other than the traditional UP “Armour Yellow.” On Dec. 6, 2018, the Class I participated in President Bush’s funeral train, led by No. 4141, from Spring to College Station, Tex., where the locomotive is on permanent display at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum’s Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion.
The Lincoln locomotive is now being painted by UP employees and will be officially unveiled at a celebration this spring, according to the Class I. “The paint scheme has the unique colors of Lincoln’s era and serves as a nod to locomotive No. 119, one of the two locomotives present at Promontory Summit, Utah, marking the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, officially uniting the eastern and western parts of the nation,” it noted.
This year marks Lincoln’s 216th birthday and UP said its new heritage unit will serve as a “traveling ambassador” and participate in community events and educational programs that highlight the historic role of railroads in America’s growth and their continued contribution to the country, communities, and economy. Future dates will be announced at UP.com. A limited-edition commemorative poster is available for sale at the UP Store.
“America’s history is Union Pacific’s history,” UP CEO Jim Vena said. “By signing the Pacific Railway Act of 1862, President Lincoln created our railroad and ignited The Great Race to connect the country and fuel the economy—roles our industry still plays today. President Lincoln wanted to unite the nation, and through his actions, railroads were a catalyst for national growth, representing major advances in innovation and technology. We’re proud to be part of an industry that is still a major part of the central nervous system of the North American economy and continues to provide innovative solutions that unleash economic innovation.”
Further Reading:
- First Look: UP’s ‘We are ONE’ Locomotive
- Once in a Lifetime: UP Honors Four Employees With Big Boy Ride-Along
