Please Don’t Mess With NS Heritage Locomotives
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
From The Dome
ATLANTA –– Norfolk Southern’s Rich Heritage Is Too Valuable To Toss. "From The Dome," Railway Track and Structures, April 2026.
I’ve said this before, but for reasons I don’t understand, when Union Pacific “merges” with another large railroad, it’s not a merger but an acquisition. Thankfully, the railroad has six “legacy” or “heritage” locomotives that pay tribute to the roads UP acquired in the late 20th Century: Missouri Pacific, 1982, Western Pacific, 1983, Missouri-Kansas-Texas, or “Katy,” 1988, Denver & Rio Grande Western, 1989, Chicago & North Western, 1995, and Southern Pacific, 1996. Interestingly, each heritage unit number represents the year that railroad was acquired by UP. I believe these locomotives were painted in heritage colors as a sincere tribute to the acquired roads. Cynics may say, however, that the railroad is simply displaying these engines as trophies of a conquering host.
Whatever the reason, if UP+NS were to be approved by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in, say, 2028, Norfolk Southern deserves a whole lot more than an NS-styled locomotive with a UP logo, numbered 2028. Although the Union Pacific has been around since the days of Lincoln, the heritage of the railroad that is the product of a 1982 merger of Southern Railway and Norfolk & Western is arguably as rich, if not richer, than that of Union Pacific. Indeed, Southern and N&W themselves had rich and consequential histories. Now, make no mistake –– I have long been a Union Pacific enthusiast, and I’m even a member of the Union Pacific Historical Society (which is not, of course, affiliated with Union Pacific Railroad). This railroad has been intertwined with America’s development since the 19th Century in a way that, over the long haul, surpasses all others. I’ll admit, though, that some of the recent efforts to promote the UP+NS merger have left me scratching my head. Moreover, the NS heritage locomotives represent the relatively recent history of railroading in the entire eastern United States, which included much more mileage than Union Pacific alone during that time.
Nevertheless, the continuing celebration of Norfolk Southern history should not be pitched to the wind if UP+NS is approved. Specifically, the 22 heritage locomotives on the NS roster that were painted in the full paint schemes (sorry, CSX) of various predecessor roads of either Southern, N&W, or NS that pull freight every day. Readers will remember that the original 20 engines were conceived, painted, and rolled out to the public in 2012 at a memorable celebration at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer. Immediately after the event, each unit was dispatched to a revenue service assignment.
Wick Moorman was then NS’s president and present at the North Carolina rollout. A key point in his remarks was that seeing heritage paint schemes throughout the railroad reminds employees of the length of time railroads have been around, the tremendous economic impact rail has had on the economy, and that they work for a strong industry with a rich heritage. More recently, NS has added two more heritage locomotives to the roster, one honoring the Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia Railroad, and the Delaware & Hudson Railway.
If the industry continues to consolidate, it’s important to maintain quality representatives of railroads that came before, and these schemes, as far as I can tell, are universally admired and create goodwill for the industry. Again, let’s not allow our history to end up in the ashbin.
Norfolk Southern “Pennsylvania Railroad” heritage locomotive rounding Horseshoe Curve. This is one of 20 heritage locomotives rolled out in 2012 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of NS. Two additional heritage locomotives have been painted recently. Image courtesy of Norfolk Southern.
