A new Union Pacific locomotive pays tribute to the United States armed forces.
UP No. 1943 The Spirit spotlights Union Pacific’s relationship with thousands of veterans who helped build America after defending the United States — a tradition dating back to the company’s founding, the railroad said. The locomotive was unveiled Oct. 19, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas.
Created in collaboration with Union Pacific veterans, the locomotive name is connected to a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress funded by war bond contributions from Union Pacific employees in 1943. The plane was christened The Spirit of the Union Pacific and assigned to the 571st Bomber Squadron. The Spirit of the Union Pacific was shot down on its fifth mission during a raid on enemy installations in Munster, Germany.
“Union Pacific is proud to honor veterans and the men and women bravely serving our country with a special locomotive representing every armed forces branch reflected in its symbolic design,” Scott Moore, senior vice president-corporate relations, said in a news release. “Beginning today, UP No. 1943 The Spirit’s mission is to salute them as it leads trains carrying America’s goods across our network every day.”
