CN and CPKC Release Locomotives in Paint Schemes Honoring America’s 250th –– Where Are The Other Class Is?

ATLANTA –– This week, Canadian National and CPKC rolled out new locomotives to honor America's celebration of its upcoming 250th Anniversary.

The American Bicentennial year, 1976, was an exciting time for our country and the railroad industry. While the economic fortunes of the industry were not great, nearly all railroads joined the band wagon that was celebrating the Bicentennial. This was done in two ways — as we recently reported, the American Freedom Train was a major part of the activity and ran through 1975 and 1976. For more information about this train, please see my “From The Dome” column on page 32 of the November 2025 issue of RT&S. Second, approximately 200 locomotives from Class Is, short line, and industrial roads were painted in a red, white, and blue patriotic scheme, and the locomotives were usually renumbered to 1776.

While a few railroads have put patriotic paint on locomotives for America’s 250th, Canadian National and CPKC became the first Class Is to do so, both rolling out the locomotives this week (CPKC was first). There are plans for Union Pacific to operate a heritage train across the country, pulled by their Big Boy 4014. However, even though everyone is excited to hear that and is looking forward to it, that’s not really an America 250th train, and would not have qualified for a Bicentennial train in 1976.

As I opined in my piece in the November 2025 issue, I don’t believe we’re going to see anything like the American Freedom Train we enjoyed in 1976. For those who weren’t around in 1976, this may be a bit difficult to understand, but having been there, I can tell you it was quite a time.

Big kudos are due to the two Canadian Class I roads, CN and CPKC. Please continue reading the pressers from each road to learn about these wonderful engines and the commentary of their respective CEOs, Tracy Robinson and Keith Creel. Also, check out the cool video CN produced about the painting of their two locomotives.

Canadian Class I Roads Kick Off the Celebration

Canadian National (CN)

CN [this week] launched its America250 celebrations with the unveiling of two commemorative locomotives in tribute to the United States’ 250th anniversary of its independence. Together, the two locomotives represent the dual pillars of the American story: independence and innovation. As they travel across CN’s U.S. rail network, spanning from the Gulf Coast to the Midwest and into the Great Lakes, they will carry not only freight, but also the message of America250 to communities across the country.

CN has deep roots in the United States and plays a vital role in the nation’s economy. Through its operations and capital investments, CN supports more than 25,000 jobs across the U.S., contributes approximately $4.1 billion to U.S. GDP, and generates $1.7 billion in tax revenues. From connecting farmers and manufacturers to global markets to strengthening domestic supply chains, CN is proud to power American industry.

Two images and video courtesy of CN

“America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the ideals and vision that helped shape the United States of America and the innovation that continues to define it. At CN, we are proud to have played a vital role in the country’s past and are excited to continue connecting U.S. industries, communities and supply chains for generations to come.”

– Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN 

“Railroads have been central to America’s growth since its earliest days. These locomotives are more than commemorative designs, they are rolling tributes to the resilience, ingenuity and pursuit of liberty that define the American experience. We are proud to pay tribute to this incredible milestone and to continue delivering safely and reliably for our customers and the communities across this great country.”

– Patrick Whitehead, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, CN

A Moving Tribute Across the U.S. Network
The first locomotive, identified with the number “1776”, features a striking “Screaming Eagle” design, prominently displaying the bald eagle, a longstanding symbol of American independence, strength and freedom. The “Screaming Eagle” has deep historical roots, long associated with military service, where it has come to represent courage, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the nation. As the nation[al] emblem, the eagle represents sovereignty and resolve; in flight, it represents vision, leadership and the enduring pursuit of liberty.

The second locomotive, identified with the number “2026”, draws inspiration from the iconic design of Air Force One, a global symbol of precision, innovation and national security. The design reflects America’s leadership in engineering and advanced technology, underscoring the powerful link between transportation innovation and economic strength.

CN’s America250 locomotives will begin service immediately and are expected to operate across the company’s U.S. network throughout 2026, offering employees, customers and rail enthusiasts an opportunity to participate in the celebration.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)

Photo courtesy of CPKC

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) [this week] unveiled a commemorative locomotive livery honoring the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and celebrating the founding of the United States of America.  

“This locomotive, built and painted in Fort Worth, Texas, honors the remarkable and proud history of America as we prepare to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and Chief Executive Officer. “As a U.S. Army veteran, I am proud to join my 6,000 fellow railroaders living and working across America in celebrating the contributions of all Americans throughout our history. Together, we join the nation in looking forward with vision and hope to the accomplishments of generations yet to come.”

KCS 1776, a new Tier 4 ET44AC locomotive from Wabtec’s Fort Worth manufacturing facility, is the first of five such locomotives that will bear the commemorative America 250 livery. It features Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue colors as well as the logo of America250, the national nonpartisan organization established by Congress to lead the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Other features include graphic representations of the Declaration of Independence opening phrase “In Congress” and the famous first words of the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution, as well as 13 stars encircling the date July 4, 1776. 

“America’s 250^th anniversary is a moment to reflect on the industries and individuals who have helped build and connect our nation,” said Jen Condon, Executive Vice President at America 250. “Freight rail has played a vital role in America’s growth and progress, and CPKC’s commemorative locomotive is a powerful tribute to that legacy as we approach this historic milestone.”

Freight railroads take pride in their role in facilitating the country’s progress through the centuries. CPKC operates in 19 U.S. states as one of the largest freight railroads in America with an extensive network spanning the central United States. It stretches from North Dakota through the Upper Midwest and south to the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Texas, along with operations in the Northeast from New York to Maine. At 8,800 miles, the U.S. network represents nearly 40 percent of CPKC’s three-nation North American railroad.

About one third of CPKC’s employees live and work in the United States, serving thousands of businesses in the agriculture, automotive, steel, energy, chemical and consumer markets across America. CPKC’s roots stretch back to the founding age of American railroading with the Delaware & Hudson and the expansion age of American railroading in the late 19th century with Arthur E. Stilwell’s founding in 1887 of the Kansas City Suburban Belt Railway.

What’s Next? Anything?

Given that we’re essentially six months away from America’s 250th anniversary, it’s gratifying that the Canadian roads have joined the celebration, but what about the other Class Is, all of which are in the United States? Are they going to release America 250th paint schemes of their own or are they so focused on debating the proposed UP+NS merger that they’ve lost sight of this anniversary? I certainly hope that’s not the case. If they do, we’ll at least have some “unified” industry observance of the anniversary. If not, well, I’m not sure how to react. I’ll say the same here as I said about our not having the American Freedom Train this year –– if the remaining Class Is don’t participate –– that would be a real shame.

Looking Back

Here are a couple of images of Bicentennial observances in 1976. The top is a BNSF (nee Santa Fe) SD45-2 5704, photographed in 2022. This locomotive had been restored to its Bicentennial (1976) paint scheme. The BNSF website reported on this restoration in 2022, and I like what they said about the Bicentennial:

“It was 1976, and the U.S. was celebrating its 200^th birthday by turning everything red, white and blue. Commemorative bicentennial souvenirs abounded, and many companies tied their products or brand to the observance.The Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe Railway (Santa Fe), a BNSF predecessor, got in on the patriotic wave, painting five locomotives numbered 5700-5704 in a unique bicentennial scheme.”

Photo courtesy BNSF

The image below is of Southern Railway’s Southern Crescent headed north out of Atlanta in 1976. Southern did not paint a red, white, and blue Bicentennial locomotive but, instead, celebrated the anniversary by placing red banners honoring each of the 17 original signers of the Declaration of Independence on the sides of the 17 E8 locomotives assigned to the train. Southern often had its own way of doing things and this gesture reflects that. An old head told me once that “there’s the right way, the wrong way, and the Southern way.”

David C. Lester photo