Class I Briefs: NS, CPKC, CN (UPDATED 6/12)
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
NS recently unveiled this new locomotive paint scheme in Altoona, Pa., that pays tribute to its railroaders. (Alan Shaw Photograph)
Norfolk Southern (NS) celebrates its railroaders with a Thoroughbred Locomotive painted in a special scheme. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) meets with officials in Toronto, Canada, and marks the completion of the Final Spike Steam Tour in Mexico; and CN continues its partnership with Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.
NS
“Every day, I am motivated by the hard work and dedication of our team to Norfolk Southern and our customers,” NS President and CEO Alan Shaw wrote in a June 10 LinkedIn post. “In Altoona, PA, this weekend, we celebrated our railroaders at one of our NS Days, but also added something special. We unveiled our all-new Thoroughbred Locomotive, a tribute to our railroaders, and inspired by the grit, heart, and drive that they put forward every day.” (Watch video above.)
The 10 carmen painters at Juniata Locomotive Shop completed the locomotive after approximately 430 hours, using 75 gallons of paint, NS reported.
Shaw also spent time at the NS Days event with craft colleague Chris Boast (see photograph, top right). “He’s been on the Thoroughbred Team for 48 years as an electric welder in Cresson, PA,” Shaw reported. “The work he does keeps our trains moving and helps to make Norfolk Southern the powerful franchise that it is. Thank you, Chris, and to all our railroaders, for everything you do to keep us rolling!”
According to NS, the Thoroughbred Locomotive is now making its way from Altoona to the railroad’s headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., where it will be a part of a company-wide town hall meeting.
NS has a variety of heritage locomotives, as well. As part of its 30th anniversary in 2012, the Class I painted 20 new locomotives in the color schemes of predecessor railroads, including Conrail 8098 and Lackawanna 1074.
Since the 1820s, hundreds of railroad companies were built, merged, reorganized, and consolidated into what eventually became NS, itself created from the consolidation of Southern Railway and Norfolk and Western Railway in 1982. In 1999, NS acquired a portion of Conrail.
“Each paint scheme was modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs,” according to NS, whose employees in Altoona, Pa. (Juniata Locomotive Shop) and Chattanooga, Tenn. (Chattanooga Diesel Shop), painted GE ES44ACs, while EMD SD70ACe units were painted at Progress Rail Services’ facility in Muncie, Ind. The heritage locomotives are used in freight service across NS’s 19,500-mile, 22-state network.
CPKC
CPKC officials, including President and CEO Keith Creel, met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his ministers in Toronto, the Canadian Class I reported via LinkedIn on June 10 (see photograph above). “Thank you, Premier, for hosting us and for the productive discussions about the critical role CPKC plays in supporting Ontario’s economy and trade throughout North America,” CPKC said.
Meanwhile, the railroad wrapped up its Final Spike Steam Tour on June 7 in Mexico. “Thousands gathered in Mexico City on Friday to see The Empress and mark the completion of the Final Spike Steam Tour’s cross-continental journey from Calgary to Mexico City,” CPKC reported on LinkedIn and other social media platforms. “The 4,300-mile trip (~7,000 kilometers) celebrated the one-year anniversary of CPKC, and the creation of our unique, unrivalled railway network linking Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Thank you to all who attended our tour events!”
The tour, which kicked off April 24, showcased The Empress, H-1b Hudson-type 4-6-4 2816. Why is 2816 called The Empress? CPKC explained: “Canadian Pacific (CP) wanted a title that conveyed elegance and nobility with a tie-in to CP’s history. CP’s premier passenger ocean liners were all titled Empress, (Empress of Australia, Empress of Russia, Empress of Britain, etc.) and the call sign of CP Air Lines was also Empress.”
The Empress was built in December 1930 by Montreal Locomotive Works. Originally intended for fast freight and passenger service, the locomotive worked primarily in Eastern Canada for nearly 30 years before retiring on May 26, 1960. It served as a roving steam-powered ambassador for CP throughout Canada and the U.S. before being placed in storage in 2012. After a decade of slumber, the iconic locomotive was carefully prepared to once again travel the rails, this time on CPKC’s three-nation, single-line transnational railroad.
Behind 2816, whose primary tender carried 4,600 gallons of fuel oil and 12,000 gallons of water, were two auxiliary water tenders, each holding 23,000 gallons; two EMD FP9A locomotives, 1401 and 4107, serving as protection power and to assist the very heavy train on grades, if needed; a tool car with a fully equipped machine shop; and 14 cars.
CN
CN has partnered with Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame since 2021 “to celebrate and honour the achievements of Indigenous sports heroes in Canada,” the railroad reported via LinkedIn. First, it supported the development of trading cards highlighting key Indigenous athletes and builders, their Indigenous heritage, and their contribution to sports in Canada. Now, as part of CN’s new sponsorship starting this year, it will support Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame’s Indigenous Sport Heroes Digital Book, which is described as “a multi-media, web-based resource, which raises awareness and shares the stories of the remarkable Indigenous sport heroes and their impact in shaping sport in Canada.”
“CN is proud to support and help share the incredible stories of Indigenous athletes and their impact on Canadian sports history,” reported Olivier Chouc, CN Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, in the railroad’s LinkedIn post. “These sport icons have made invaluable contributions to our country, and it is our honour to help share their legacies with future generations. We hope that by continuing to raise awareness about the history of Indigenous people in our country, we can foster deeper understanding and respect for each other along the path of Reconciliation.”
Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, established in 1955, is a registered charitable organization that has curated the narratives of more than 740 Hall of Famers spanning nearly 80 sports. “Rooted in national pride, our values of respect, excellence, and fairness resonate not only within the realm of sport but also in the broader context of life,” according to the organization. “As a national heritage institution, our mission is to empower the pivotal role sport plays in shaping Canada’s future. Through a myriad of initiatives including national education programs, digital community exhibits, and public nominations for the Order of Sport Award, we actively engage Canadians of all ages from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Our vision extends beyond mere recognition; we strengthen national unity, celebrate diversity, and champion Canadian excellence through the unifying force of sport. Looking ahead, we aim to offer access to Canada’s most comprehensive digital archive of sporting history, integrate the lessons and values of sport into every classroom, and celebrate the icons who embody the connection between sport excellence and community.”
