The private event, held with NSHR’s Lycoming Valley Railroad (LVRR) just prior to Armed Forces Day, included employees along with friends and family, numerous elected officials, and many members of the veteran community, according to NSHR, a short line holding company comprising LVRR, Juniata Valley Railroad, Nittany & Bald Eagle Railroad, Shamokin Valley Railroad, Union County Industrial Railroad, and North Shore Railroad, Railway Age’s 2017 Short Line of the Year.
NSHR’s 10 employees who are veterans of various branches of the U.S. military were the first to see the units (see above) and signed one of the Veterans Unit’s interior panels (see below). “This is for you; this unit is for you,” NSHR President and CEO Jeb Stotter told them.
The Veterans Unit and Memorial Unit were designed by NSHR. Painted in Brookville, Pa., their decals were cut and applied by Curry Designs of Altoona, Pa.
The project is a result of more than two years of “research, consideration, planning, and tears (out of overwhelming emotion and gratitude)” by NSHR employees who are veterans, as well as veteran families, the short line holding company reported. “It was important to NSHR to make sure these units would be a clean and respectful salute that would compel anyone who saw them to stop, reflect, pay respect, and give thanks to the men and women who selflessly laid their lives on the line in service to our country,” it noted.
LVRR 9052 and LVRR 9050 will be used in regular freight service, including on NSHR’s rail lines in Blair, Centre, Clinton, Lycoming, Union, Montour, Columbia, Snyder, and Northumberland counties. NSHR said it also intends to use them during special passenger trips, where the ticket proceeds will benefit various veteran organizations.
LVRR 9052, Veterans Unit
Painted in “Camouflage Dark Sandstone Int (Coyote Tan),” LVRR 9052 features the shadows of three soldiers saluting the U.S. flag.
“When soldiers enlist in the armed forces, they pledge to fight for country, knowing the risks,” NSHR said. “NSHR dedicates LVRR 9052 to all service members past, present and future. It honors their loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage, as they have chosen to commit themselves to the defense of our nation. The ‘All Gave Some’ written on the side of the unit helps us reflect and remember the brave men and women who gave so much for us to be here today enjoying the freedoms we have. This locomotive serves as a reminder to be thankful for each U.S. Veteran, having risked it all.”
LVRR 9050, Memorial Unit
Painted in “ANA 602 Light Gray (Battleship Gray),” LVRR 9050 includes the shadows of two soldiers paying respects to a fallen comrade, now remembered with a “Battlefield Cross,” according to NSHR. “Not all soldiers make it home,” the short line holding company noted. “This reminds us there is no greater love than lay down one’s life for one’s friends. NSHR dedicates LVRR 9050 to all service members who have lost their lives defending this great nation. In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed. Freedom must be achieved, and many great men and women paid the ultimate price for this achievement. The ‘Some Gave All’ should make you bow your head and thank those who sacrificed their lives in order for us to be free. This locomotive serves as a reminder to pause and remember those who died fighting for our freedom.”
NSHR said that it originally intended to use full-color flags on the front of the locomotives. However, “while the flag is a symbol of why our service members step-up and a symbol of who they are fighting for, the flag is not what these locomotives are dedicated to,” the railroad company explained. “Ultimately, the bright colors of the flag distracted from what these units represented—being every individual who ever said, ‘Me,’ when our nation asked, ‘Who would will fight for my people and their freedom and liberty?’” According to the company, the silhouettes best reflect the message.
Following are among those who joined NSHR for the May 17 dedication ceremony: veteran James May of the Office of Congressman Dan Meuser (who offered the invocation as a retired Army Chaplain), Ann Kaufman of the Office of Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, Pennsylvania Sen. and veteran Gene Yaw (event speaker), Pennsylvania Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (event speaker), veteran Douglas Lengenfelder of the Office of Pennsylvania Sen. Cris Dush (event speaker), Pennsylvania Rep. Jamie Flick (event speaker), Pennsylvania Rep. Michael Stender, Pennsylvania Rep. David Rowe, Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter, Lycoming County Commissioner Scott L. Metzger, Lycoming County Commissioner Marc C. Sortman, Lycoming County Commissioner Mark Mussina, members of Veterans of Korean War of Lycoming County, and members of Veterans Affairs Williamsport Vet Center.
Meanwhile, North Shore Railroad recently earned the 2024 Business of the Year award from the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce in Pennsylvania. “We humbly accept this recognition and give all credit to our employees!” the railroad reported May 15 via social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
