News & Reviews News Wire NS unveils first responders’ commemorative locomotive NEWSWIRE

NS unveils first responders’ commemorative locomotive NEWSWIRE

By Chase Gunnoe | May 6, 2015

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


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NS911
No. 911 in its official company portrait.
Norfolk Southern
ALTOONA, Pa. – Norfolk Southern has unveiled the newest addition to its honorary locomotive fleet on Wednesday. NS Altoona-built SD60E No. 911 honors the country’s hard-working emergency first responders in the law enforcement, fire, and EMS professions.

The locomotive was rolled out at the Altoona shops late Tuesday for a photograph captured by corporate photographer Casey Thomason.

HometownHeroes
A drawing used to pitch the concept to Norfolk Southern in 2014.
Shawn Leightcap
Last summer, a petition circulated throughout social media asking Norfolk Southern to design a “hometown heroes” commemorative locomotive recognizing the men and women in public service. Shawn Leightcap, a Pennsylvania volunteer firefighter and avid rail photographer created the petition and designed his own renderings for the honorary scheme in 2014.

“On average, approximately 90 to 120 firefighters lose their lives in the line of duty each year,” Leightcap tells Trains News Wire. “These men and women are the backbone of our communities. Many of them are employees with Norfolk Southern and volunteers with local fire companies.”

Leightcap distributed his petition and drawing throughout social media, to which he received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback. Leightcap’s original drawing shows similarities to the final product released from Norfolk Southern this week. The scheme includes the Firefighter Maltese Cross, the Emergency Medial Service “Star of life”, and the Police shield through a carefully designed red, white, and gold scheme.

“The concept of a first responders locomotive submitted by Shawn Leightcap came to us at a perfect time,” an NS spokesperson tells Trains News Wire. “We found a first responders honorary locomotive to be an appropriate fit for use on our Safety Train beginning next month.”

Leightcap’s original drawing shows similarities to the final product released from Norfolk Southern this week. The scheme includes the Firefighter Maltese Cross, the Emergency Medial Service “Star of life,” and the Police shield through a carefully designed red, white, and gold scheme.

The locomotive will operate system wide, as well as on the railroad’s Safety Train that is scheduled to debut in Washington, D.C., in June.

For more stories like this, check out our special “Locomotives” page, powered by Locomotive magazine!

10 thoughts on “NS unveils first responders’ commemorative locomotive NEWSWIRE

  1. When I first saw the Photo I couldn't figure out why NS was painting a Heritage Unit in the old Burlington pinstripes. Once I read the story it all came together. Would be nice if maybe BNSF would resurrect some of their fallen Flag Paint schemes, (Burlington, Great Northern, NP and the like) Maybe UP could come up with a few more of their's (T&P, SSW, C&EI, CGW, etc;) and see if we couldn't make train watching even more fun across this great land…

  2. A real outstanding looking locomotive and idea. I can't wait to see it go by Mertztown, Pa on the NS Reading Line.

  3. THE PICTURE OF THE LOCOMOTIVE IS PRETTY I AM GLAD NS STILL PAINTS AN HONORS MANY SEGMANTS OF OUR COUNTRY AND AS A RAILFAIL I CANT WAIT TO CHASE IT AND PHOTOGRAPH IT WHEN IT COMES TO VA IN THE SHENOAHDOAH VALLEY THANKS NS FOR A GREAT LOCOMOTIVE!

  4. A beautiful loco to be sure, and I would be surprised if the model manufacturers don't offer it. The front reminds me of the CB&Q Chinese Red scheme. Thank NS and thanks first responders for all you do.

    I would also like to commend Iowa Interstate for running excursions the proceeds of which fund fire departments along their route. This is a great way to not only thank, but also support, our first responders.

  5. I hope the model train manufacturers take note of it and produce it in miniature. It would make a fine model.

  6. A stunning meld of the "right stuff
    A deserved, long "public with- held" commemoration and tribute.
    A dramatically presented tribute.
    A dramatically liveried locomotive.
    An engine to inspire safety among those in safety classes.
    Is there anything about this locomotive to denigrate?.

  7. I like the NS heritage and commemorative locomotive programs. They add a touch of class and interest to the fleet!

  8. This locomotive is a refreshing change from the usual solid black paint on Norfolk Southern locomotives. The railway should consider painting their locomotives in Tuscan red and gold trim per major maintenance and new power. .

  9. Wow!!! What a great tribute to North American professionals and volunteers.
    Can't wait to see more pictures of this locomotive in service.

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