Union Pacific Railroad celebrated Presidents Day by unveiling its newest commemorative locomotive honoring President Abraham Lincoln, who created the railroad and connected the nation through the transcontinental railroad.
This rolling tribute highlights the pivotal role rail played and continues to play in the global economy and the transformative contributions of our nation’s 16th president.
“America’s history is Union Pacific’s history,” Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said in a release. “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.”
Railroads move about 59 tons of goods annually for every American across more than 140,000 miles of privately owned tracks. At Union Pacific, on top of money spent to operate the railroad, an additional $10 million in capital is invested daily into infrastructure, technology and network expansion to provide the safe, reliable service American businesses and families rely on.
“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,” Vena said. “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.”
No. 1616 is the second presidential locomotive in Union Pacific’s Heritage Fleet, joining No. 4141, created to honor President George H.W. Bush. On Dec. 6, 2018, Union Pacific participated in Bush’s funeral train, led by No. 4141, from Spring to College Station, Texas, where the locomotive is permanently displayed at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Union Pacific employees are painting the Lincoln locomotive, which will be officially unveiled at a spring celebration. The unique colors of Lincoln’s era are used in the paint scheme, which also serves as a nod to locomotive No. 119, one of the two locomotives present at Promontory Summit, Utah. This event marked the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, officially uniting the eastern and western parts of the nation.
This year marks Lincoln’s 216th birthday, and the locomotive will travel the rails, serving as a traveling ambassador and participating in community events and educational programs that highlight the historic role of railroads in America’s growth and its continued contribution to our country, communities and economy. Future dates will be announced at UP.com.
