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On its first trip, one of BNSF Railway's new US Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary is leading BNSF Train H KCKGAL1 29A making its way east on Main Track 2 of the BNSF Marceline Sub. en route to Galesburg, Illinois.
#250 is the 3rd and final of the series. All 3 of the Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary wear the same paint scheme. The engineer's side features the Great Seal of the United States, and the word "liberty" on the radiators. The conductor's side features "we the people" text from the US Constitution Preamble, and the word "liberty" on the radiator wing. The America250 and BNSF logos are featured on both sides.
Locomotive: BNSF 250
5-29-26
Norborne, MO
Stopped at CA Jct. on Main Track 2 of the BNSF Marceline Sub.-NS Kansas City District is one of BNSF Railway's new US Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary leading BNSF Train H GALKCK1 31A.
The unit is on its first round trip, on its second assignment coming back to Kansas City from Galesburg. The dispatcher is getting a few hot trains around them after an work window expired on the Sibley Bridge ahead of them, so the floodgates are opening.
#250 is the 3rd and final of the series. All 3 of the Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary wear the same paint scheme. The engineer's side features the Great Seal of the United States, and the word "liberty" on the radiators. The conductor's side features "we the people" text from the US Constitution Preamble, and the word "liberty" on the radiator wing. The America250 and BNSF logos are featured on both sides.
Locomotive: BNSF 250, BNSF 4617
5-31-26
Camden, MO
From a lake barge. 15 second, "Jackson Pollock" show finale version.
Explore July 5, 2026
4th of July 2026 -9103
With a dissipating storm behind it and a train with air problems in front of it - that would prevent it from going anywhere for awhile - all 3 of BNSF's 250 locomotives power a deadhead passenger train towards North Dakota, just outside Oakland, NE.
Fireworks over the Abraham Lincoln Bridge that spans the Ohio River
CCVersatile: Compositional Overlays (Golden Triangle)
All 3 of America250 Locomotives lead BNSF Train O GFDTOP8 08A through the KC West Bottoms on the KCT North-South Corridor on Track 80. The train is on its way back from taking part in the grand opening ceremonies for the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Medora, North Dakota including a ride taken by President Trump.
Upon arrival at Argentine, the rear two units were set out to be released into freight service while the 250 took the train to Topeka solo.
Locomotives: BNSF 250, BNSF 2026, BNSF 1776
7-10-26
Kansas City, MO
CPKC train 249, the BRC-Saint Paul manifest, passes through the Milwaukee suburb of Elm Grove with two brand spankin' new ET44ACs wearing CPKC's "America 250" scheme.
We got real lucky with this 249. First, and most obviously, was the fresh back-to-back pair of 250s. Second, there was no stop for work at Muskego. Finally, Amtrak 1340, the EB Borealis, cleared 50 seconds earlier. Talk about the pucker factor on that one.
These two were only a week of so out of the factory. Initially running as a trio consisting of KCS 776 and KCS 7626, with KCS 250 as the DPU, they lead 253-22 up from Shreveport to Nahant. From there, KCS 776 lead 261 north to Saint Paul, while KCS 250 and NS 1155 with KCS 7626 as a DP continued to Chicago. Clear as mud? The NS ACe was kicked out and the pair then led 249 out of the Belt.
West of Milwaukee the Watertown Sub climbs away from Lake Michigan up a ridge separating it's watershed from the Mississippi River's. Originally built as the Milwaukee & Mississippi in 1851, the railroad took the easiest path it could up the ridge. Leaving Milwaukee, the railroad followed the Menomonee River until it turned onto a more northernly course at the confluence of Underwood Creek. Continuing up the creek, the M&M followed it's contours to Elm Grove and beyond, trying to eek out as much of the valley as they could. The railroad ran north and then swung west as the creek petered out near the top in Brookfield. From there, it was an easy path to Waukesha following the Fox River.
In 1864, a second track was built south of the original mainline. This was known as the 'Airline'. It diverged from the M&M mainline in the Menomonee Valley, taking a steeper but shorter path up the hill via West Allis. Both lines briefly met again at Elm Grove before separating one last time for the final climb to Brookfield.
The Airline east of Elm Grove to Milwaukee is now abandoned. But west of here is the second main track of CPKC's Watertown Sub. Here at Juneau Ave, the mains are still split up the hill to Brookfield.
The 1st of 5 CPKC US Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary leads CPKC Train 253-24 northbound on the CPKC Heavener Sub. at Tipton Ford. The unit is on its first trip leading a train after being delivered.
KCS 1776 features Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue paint with white accents, the America250 Logo, and graphic elements “In Congress July 4, 1776” from the Declaration of Independence on the left side, and "We the People" from the U.S. Constitution Preamble on the right side. Other units in this series are KCS 250, KCS 704, KCS 776, and KCS 7626; all Wabtec ET44AC freight units.
I think it's a terrific adaptation of the CPKC corporate scheme, and I look forward to what the other carriers have in store later this year.
Locomotives: KCS 1776, CP 7582, KCSM 4524
3-25-25
Tipton Ford, MO
In honor of the United States Semiquincentennial, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City ordered five of their newest General Electric ET44AC locomotives to be painted in a patriotic scheme. Here, only a week or so old, KCS 250 and KCS 7626, lead CPKC train 249 into the setting sun west of Ixonia, Wisconsin.
KCS 250, KCS 7626
CPKC Train 249
Ixonia, Wisconsin
April 25, 2026
On its first trip, one of BNSF Railway's new US Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary is leading BNSF Train H KCKGAL1 29A through Hardin on Main Track 2 through a Form B on the BNSF Marceline Sub. en route to Galesburg, Illinois.
#250 is the 3rd and final of the series. All 3 of the Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary wear the same paint scheme. The engineer's side features the Great Seal of the United States, and the word "liberty" on the radiators. The conductor's side features "we the people" text from the US Constitution Preamble, and the word "liberty" on the radiator wing. The America250 and BNSF logos are featured on both sides.
Locomotives: BNSF 250, BNSF 8026, CSXT 387
5-29-26
Hardin, MO
CPKC 249 rolls through downtown Milwaukee with a pair of ET44ACs sporting the 250th Anniversary paint scheme.
BNSF 2026, recently painted into an 'America 250' Bisesquicentennial scheme, leads an employee special passenger train through Dorchester, NE.
On May 14, the BNSF Railway officially unveiled two of its three locomotives painted to honor America's 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. Numbered 250, 2026 and 1776, all three brand new from the last order of GE ES44ACH's. Though they're third Class 1 to unveil America 250 units, BNSF is the first American Class 1 to officially reveal theirs ahead of the nation's approaching Semiquincentennial. They'll enter regular service while being used for special events within BNSF's system.
These were painted by the fine folks at Mid-America Car, Inc in Kansas City, MO, of which BNSF is a frequent customer. Painted in a patriotic red, white and blue with the America250 logo, the Preamble to the United States Constitution is featured along the hood on the conductor's side while the Great Seal of the United Seals is featured on the engineer's side. "Freedom" is spelled out on the radiator section on the conductor's side and the "Liberty" is spelled on the engineer's side. The circle of stars are seen on the rear of the engines, paying homage to the Betsy Ross flag. This paint scheme draws influences from both Bicentennial engines from the Santa Fe and Burlington Northern, and I'm sure many of you remember that MAC did the cosmetic restoration on the ATSF SD45-2 No. 5704 a few years ago.
What a classy and amazing way to honor the country's 250th birthday, a job well done by all. It's terrific to see a big Class 1 this day and age to commemorate such an historic occasion and take pride in doing so, especially from one most least suspected to do so. 5/14/26.
Nevada Northern SD9R 250 (ex-SP 4426/3942/5468) painted in a special red, white, and blue scheme to celebrate America's 250th birthday poses for a night photo session next to NN's RIP building.
At the end of 2026 Nevada Northern plans on returning the ole Cadillac's long lost SP identity.
NNRY 250 ~ Ely, Nevada
07.11.2026
The 1st of 5 CPKC US Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary leads CPKC Train 253-24 northbound on the CPKC Heavener Sub. at Asbury leaving the siding after a crew change and meeting a southbound coal load. The unit is on its first trip leading a train after being delivered.
KCS 1776 features Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue paint with white accents, the America250 Logo, and graphic elements “In Congress July 4, 1776” from the Declaration of Independence on the left side, and "We the People" from the U.S. Constitution Preamble on the right side. Other units in this series are KCS 250, KCS 704, KCS 776, and KCS 7626; all Wabtec ET44AC freight units.
I think it's a terrific adaptation of the CPKC corporate scheme, and I look forward to what the other carriers have in store later this year.
Locomotives: KCS 1776, CP 7582, KCSM 4524
3-25-25
Asbury, MO
Running DP'd 1x2 and en route to Lincoln, Nebraska is the consist for the upcoming 2026 Employee Appreciation Special running as BNSF Train O TOPLIN8 27A making its way through Santa Fe Jct. on the KCT North-South Corridor on Track 81. In charge of the officer special on this leg are Conductor Ethan Reed and Engineer Greg Bowden Jr. They'll take the train across the river to Murray Yard to hand it off to the outbound crew. The passenger consist will work its way across the northwest portion of the system for the next few weeks giving employees, families, and guests rides on the 16 car business train.
All 3 of the Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary wear the same paint scheme. The engineer's side features the Great Seal of the United States, and the word "liberty" on the radiators. The conductor's side features "we the people" text from the US Constitution Preamble, and the word "liberty" on the radiator wing. The America250 and BNSF logos are featured on both sides.
Locomotives: BNSF 2026, BNSF 8066, BNSF 1776
5-27-26
Kansas City, MO
America 250 refers to the Semiquincentennial, the 250 year mark since the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. It represents two and a half centuries of American history, growth and resilience. From thirteen colonies to fifty states, America’s story keeps inspiring the world.
Happy 250th Birthday America!!
-- Technical Information (or Nerdy Stuff) --
‧ Camera - Nikon D7200 (handheld)
‧ Lens – Nikkor 18-300mm Zoom
‧ ISO – 250
‧ Aperture – f/9
‧ Exposure – 1/500 second
‧ Focal Length – 65mm
The original RAW file was processed with Adobe Camera Raw and final adjustments were made with Photoshop CS6.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." --Jeremiah 29:11
The best way to view my photostream is through Flickriver with the following link: www.flickriver.com/photos/photojourney57/
Yesterday the Midwest Overland Rail Preservation Society of Oklahoma unveiled the actual former Milwaukee Road unit #156 in her original 1976 bicentennial paint scheme from the Milwaukee shops in the Valley.
SD40-2 #156 had been under Pan-Am paint out east but MORPS managed to get her to Oklahoma and spent over 40 days repainting her into her former skin. Just in time for the 250th!
A beautiful job worthy of praise, and a bittersweet sight for any Milwaukee fan.
Well done.
From a post on the Ghost of the Milwaukee Road Facebook group.
BNSF's America 250 train glides over a trestle near the southern end of the Gateway Subdivision near Keddie, CA.
© 2026 Patrick Dirden Photography
All Rights Reserved
With the United States celebrating its 250th birthday this upcoming July 4th, many railroads have painted special locomotives to honor America 250. Norfolk Southern No. 1776 "The Bell" is a specially painted EMD SD70ACe locomotive dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the United States (America250). Rolled out of the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, PA, it honors the Liberty Bell. Here we see NS 1776 making its first journey, leading 4 office cars bound for Chicago to meet UP 4014 on its cross-country America 250 tour.
On its first trip, one of BNSF Railway's new US Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary is leading BNSF Train H KCKGAL1 29A across the Sibley Bridge over the Missouri River on the BNSF Marceline Sub. en route to Galesburg, Illinois.
#250 is the 3rd and final of the series. All 3 of the Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary wear the same paint scheme. The engineer's side features the Great Seal of the United States, and the word "liberty" on the radiators. The conductor's side features "we the people" text from the US Constitution Preamble, and the word "liberty" on the radiator wing. The America250 and BNSF logos are featured on both sides.
Locomotives: BNSF 250, BNSF 8026, CSXT 387
5-29-26
Sibley, MO
At Muskego Yard in Milwaukee, WI, two of the new ET44ACs painted in honor of America's 250th Anniversary work their respective trains. KCS 776 on 246 and then KCS 1776 on 2-246.
On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Naugatuck Railroad and River Rail Photo hosted a photo charter with the railroad's America250 equipment. Seen here are Budd SPV 1001 and GE U23B locomotive 2798 posed above the Naugatuck River between Waterbury and Watertown, CT.
In honor of the United States Semiquincentennial, the Canadian Pacific Kansas City ordered five of their newest General Electric ET44AC locomotives to be painted in a patriotic scheme. Here, the KCS 250 leads KCS 1776 around the curve at Wood Rd as they muscle 205 cars of freight out of the Reeseville Marsh basin on their way to Bensenville, Illinois.
CSX's America 250 units, #250 and #2026, lead intermodal train I143 through Folkston, Georgia on their first trip to Florida. Both locomotives were painted at the railroad's shops in Waycross, GA and unveiled last month to celebrate 250 years of American independence. If you look closely, you can see the conductor waving an American flag on the other side of the cab.
After waiting on both Amtraks, 2-261 makes it's way west through Maple Springs with KCS 1776 leading the charge. This unit was the first of 5 ET44ACs painted for America 250th Anniversary. 30 minutes behind this would be our main focus
Utah 5003 leads a westbound KYLE train at Levant Kansas. Third out in the consist is one of the first G&W America 250 units, KYLE 4460, celebrating America's semiquincentennial birthday this year.
The 1st of 5 CPKC US Semiquincentennial Locomotives honoring the United States of America 250th Anniversary leads CPKC Train 253-24 northbound on the CPKC Heavener Sub. at Asbury, MO after a crew change, easing up the siding to meet a southbound coal load. The unit is on its first trip leading a train after being delivered.
KCS 1776 features Old Glory Red and Old Glory Blue paint with white accents, the America250 Logo, and graphic elements “In Congress July 4, 1776” from the Declaration of Independence on the left side, and "We the People" from the U.S. Constitution Preamble on the right side. Other units in this series are KCS 250, KCS 704, KCS 776, and KCS 7626; all Wabtec ET44AC freight units.
I think it's a terrific adaptation of the CPKC corporate scheme, and I look forward to what the other carriers have in store later this year.
Locomotives: KCS 1776, CP 7582, KCSM 4524
3-25-25
Asbury, MO
All three of BNSF’s America250 units—250, 2026, and 1776—lead train O GFDTOP8 08A on the Morris Sub at Herman, Minn. The train is returning to Topeka via Grand Forks after carrying President Trump to the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora, N.D.
After working Muskego yard, CPKC 249 rolls out of Miller Valley with one of the 250th painted ET44ACs with American Family Field (Miller Park) in the background.
KCS 1776, one of soon-to-be 5 ET44ACs painted up for America's 250th Birthday, leads CPKC 255 up the River at Homer in beautiful golden hour. This is it's 2nd train since being released from Fort Worth a few days prior
On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Naugatuck Railroad and River Rail Photo hosted a photo charter with the railroad's America250 equipment. Seen here is GE U23B locomotive 2798 posing on the Thomaston Dam in Thomaston, CT.
The BNSF OCS train rolls down the new connection in Willmar between the Morris and Marshall Subs. The crew swap took place near the switch to the Marshall Sub before the train highballed toward Sioux City.
And the Coast-to-Coast tour begins...
Union Pacific Big Boy 4014 strikes an impressive pose as it storms Sherman Hill on 'three track' at Emkay, little less than 20 miles into the western leg of the 'Coast-to-Coast' tour.
UP 4014 ~ PCYSC ~ Emkay, Wyoming
Union Pacific's Laramie Subdivision
03.29.2026
With a chance for more sunny photos, we decided not to break off and continued our chase north. We found this corn field on the north side of Oakland that was wide open, allowing for a nice shot that lines up almost perfectly with the rail head. Any taller and this shot wouldn't have worked.
BNSF ET44ACH 2026 leads an officer special with 1776 and 250 northbound on the Sioux City Subdivision outside Oakland, Nebraska, June 25, 2026.
BNSF ES44ACH 250 rolls along at track speed near Priam on the Marshall Sub, leading the OCS train. Credit to Steve G, who handled the wheel every bit as well as I handled the camera.
This small town celebrates a day early so as not to compete with the bigger towns and cities on July 4th.
This is Springfield, Kentucky, where Abraham Lincoln's parents came from and were married.
Happy 4th!
Yesterday, Sam and I were heading out of Lincoln at dawn for Grand Island. In a group chat in the days before, the NCRC guys had decided to decorate the lead locomotive for the Friday run on the Platte Valley turn, with engineer Sam Read going as far as ordering an Uncle Sam costume to wear while at the throttle. With most people having the day off, it sounded like a whole gaggle of foamers would be out there, so Sam and I figured we ought to join in and made the trip west.
We got out of Lincoln a little late thanks to me having to stop to check out of my hotel (my AC has been out for almost a month and with the latest heat wave being too much for the portable units we've been using, my landlord booked me a hotel room). Thankfully, UP decided to be UP with the NPSS blocking the NCRC in while doing setouts, which gave us plenty of time to get to town. We were even able to shoot the NPSS and a eastbound Z that was absolutely flying. With how dark the clouds kept things, we'll see if those photos ever see the light of day. No pun intended.
After a bit of time to catch up with everyone, NCRC got signals to depart, so we all headed to the curve east of town. Not long after, Sam and Oliver came screaming by with the EMD trio treating us to a smokeshow as they got their train up to track speed.
Nebraska Central SD60 2222 leads the Platte Valley Turn eastbound on the UP Columbus Subdivision out of Grand Island, Nebraska, July 3, 2026.
The light wasn't great this trip, and with a line of storms following them, it wasn't going to get better. Regardless, we kept following and figured we would get whatever we could. With the curve out of the way, I figured I'd have a bit of fun to make up for the less-than-stellar conditions, deciding to break out my speedlight in the rain here at Central City to light up the station sign.
Engineer Read was loving the horn as he came through town, and with him slowing up to take the switch onto the Stromsburg Sub, he sure got the attention of many of the locals. We saw a post on Facebook of a Taco Bell worker asking what the deal with the train was, and the comments were filled with confusion as well.
Nebraska Central SD60 2222 leads the Platte Valley Turn eastbound on the UP Columbus Subdivision through Central City, Nebraska, July 3, 2026.
Cincinnati Scenic Railway's freshly-painted semiquincentennial GP30 poses on the turntable at Midwest Railway Preservation Society's ex-B&O roundhouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The paint was so new that you could smell it! The locomotive was built as Baltimore & Ohio 6923 and will eventually be repainted in its as-delivered B&O "sunburst" paint scheme. In the distance, a flame lights the sky from gases being burned off at the Cliffs steel plant..
4014 "Big Boy" + 1616 "Abraham Lincoln" + 1776 "America250", train Salt Lake City - Elko, Mills Junction
MNNR B36-7 76, now wearing a scheme to honor America's 250th Anniversary in 2026, powers the Hugo Job solo on a frigid morning
On Friday, June 12, 2026, the Naugatuck Railroad and River Rail Photo hosted a photo charter with the railroad's America250 equipment. Seen here is Budd SPV no. 1001 posing at Thomaston Station in Thomaston, CT.
One of CPKC's brand new Wabtec-GE ET44AC's painted for the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America is the lead unit for CPKC train 252 crossing the Kansas Ave on the Work Lead as it finishes putting away its train on the west end of CPKC's Knoche Yard.
The five brand new ET44AC's painted for the United States Semiquincentennial are all dressed in Old Glory Red and Blue accompanied with white and the America250 logo. "In Congress July 4, 1776" is spelled out on the conductor's side and "We the People" from the United States Constitution Preamble is spelled out on the engineer's side. All five are lettered for KCS and are numbered as 1776, 704, 250, 776 and 7626. 4/28/26.