Union Pacific (UP) on April 30 unveiled its newest commemorative locomotive. No. 1616 pays tribute to America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862, creating UP and authorizing construction of the transcontinental railroad.
Painted at UP’s Downing B. Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Ark., No. 1616 “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 in 1869, officially uniting the eastern and western parts of the nation,” according to UP, which first shared a rending of the unit on Feb. 17, Presidents’ Day.
2025 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. Its first public stop will be May 10 at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland, Ore., in celebration of National Train Day. Additional stops will be shared on UP.com and social media. A limited-edition commemorative poster is available for sale at the UP Store.
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.
“Union Pacific exists because President Abraham Lincoln wasn’t afraid to ask, ‘What’s Possible?’” said UP CEO Jim Vena, who christened No. 1616 at the unveiling ceremony, which was attended by Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge, North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick, and Lincoln Presidential Foundation Chairman Emeritus Sergio “Satch” Pecori, as well as UP executives and railroaders. “Our employees move the critical goods Americans use each day. We are proud of our heritage and look forward to sharing this special locomotive with the communities and people along the 23-states where we operate.”
Further Reading:
- First Look: UP’s ‘We are ONE’ Locomotive
- Once in a Lifetime: UP Honors Four Employees With Big Boy Ride-Along
