Union Pacific has a new series of locomotives painted to recall the railroads that have merged into the UP.
"Our reputation as America's greatest railroad has been strengthened by the many lines that have become a part of the UP.," said Chairman Dick Davidson. "It is time we pay homage to those railroads and the generations of men and women who helped to build a great nation and the foundation for our future."The first two locomotives in the series were displayed recently in Omaha. Painted to recollect the Missouri Pacific and Western Pacific railroads, the locomotives will operate across the UP system, the railroad said.The Missouri Pacific and Western Pacific locomotives will be followed in coming months by locomotives painted in the style of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas (Katy), Chicago & North Western, Southern Pacific, and Denver & Rio Grande.
The addition of Missouri Pacific more than doubled Union Pacific's route miles, Western Pacific track led UP to the Ports of San Francisco and Oakland, Katy gave UP access to Texas through Oklahoma, Chicago & North Western brought UP to the Windy City, and Southern Pacific and Denver & Rio Grande Western provided the famous Sunset Route and a direct route through Colorado.UP said its Heritage Series marks the fifth time in company history thatthe railroad has painted locomotives in colors other than the traditional "Armour Yellow" paint scheme.Locomotives were custom made in 1991 to honor UP employees serving in the Persian Gulf War, in 1994 to call attention to the United Way Campaign, in 1996 for the Atlanta Games Olympic Torch Relay Train, and in 2002 for the Salt Lake City Games Olympic Torch Relay Train
