Union Pacific Railroad unveiled the Abraham Lincoln commemorative locomotive No. 1616 in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dignitaries, including Arkansas Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge, North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick and Lincoln Presidential Foundation Chairman Emeritus Sergio “Satch” Pecori, joined Union Pacific executives and railroaders to celebrate Lincoln’s pivotal role in uniting the nation through rail and laying the foundation for America’s freight rail supply chain.
Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862, creating Union Pacific and unleashing a new era of economic prosperity by constructing the transcontinental railroad network.
“Union Pacific exists because President Abraham Lincoln wasn’t afraid to ask, ‘What’s Possible?’” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena. “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.”
Railroads are at the heart of the U.S. economy and touch nearly every industry, including vehicles, chemicals, energy, agriculture, metals, minerals, forest products, consumer goods, and more. Union Pacific’s more than 30,000 employees deliver essential items from lumber and drywall to build homes to corn and wheat to make bread and cereal.
No. 1616’s paint scheme has the unique colors of Lincoln’s era. It 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.
It was painted at Union Pacific’s Downing B. Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock by Union Pacific’s dedicated employees.
The Lincoln locomotive will serve as a traveling ambassador. Its first public stop will be May 10 at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland, Oregon, celebrating National Train Day. Details will be shared on UP.com and social media as additional stops are finalized.
