The American railroad company Union Pacific has announced the launch of a commemorative locomotive dedicated to President Donald Trump, as part of its program marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The new locomotive, numbered No. 4547, is presented by the operator as the latest in a series of special units and was built in partnership with Wabtec.
According to the official press release, the locomotive “celebrates” the current President of the United States and features large American flags on both sides: one with 13 stars, representing the original colonies, and the other depicting the current U.S. flag.
Union Pacific has included this unit in its anniversary program dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Three Commemorative Locomotives in the Same Program
In addition to locomotive No. 4547, the program presented by Union Pacific includes two more locomotives with symbolic liveries.
The first is No. 1776 – America250, decorated with the American flag against the backdrop of the company’s traditional armor yellow livery and the America250 logo.
The second is No. 1616, dedicated to Abraham Lincoln, the president who founded Union Pacific in 1862; the locomotive will receive a paint scheme inspired by his era.
Thus, Union Pacific brings together three distinct milestones: the origins of the United States, through locomotive No. 1776, the company’s founding by Abraham Lincoln, through No. 1616, and the current administration in Washington, through locomotive No. 4547 dedicated to Donald Trump.
Continuation of a series dedicated to American presidents
Union Pacific says that locomotive No. 4547 is the third in a series of locomotives dedicated to American presidents. Also part of this series is locomotive No. 4141, which honors former President George H.W. Bush.
The company notes that this locomotive pulled the former U.S. leader’s funeral train to his final resting place in College Station, Texas, and is currently on display at the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
Big Boy Joins the Anniversary Program
In addition to the commemorative locomotives, Union Pacific has included in the program a new tour of the famous Big Boy No. 4014 steam locomotive, the world’s largest operational steam locomotive, according to the company. It is scheduled to arrive in Philadelphia on July 4, and the announced route includes stops in several U.S. states, including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.
Union Pacific stated that the first leg of the tour begins on March 29 in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the East Coast leg kicks off on May 25.
Exhibition days are scheduled along the route in Omaha, Chicago, Buffalo, and Scranton, before arriving in Philadelphia for Independence Day.
Other stops may include Altoona, St. Louis, and Kansas City, with the tour set to conclude on July 29.
Union Pacific: Railroads Have Played a Vital Role in U.S. History
The company’s CEO, Jim Vena, stated that each of the commemorative locomotives symbolizes important moments in the shared history of Union Pacific and the United States, and the company aims to highlight the role the railroad has played in the country’s development.
Union Pacific was founded in 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act, and today operates in 23 states in the western U.S..
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