NS "Veterans Locomotive"

From NS.com:

NS.com wrote:Norfolk Southern is placing a one-of-a-kind “Veterans Locomotive” into freight service on its system to honor people who have served in the military and reserves, especially those employed by the railroad.

No. 6920 is an SD60E model that will operate primarily in general freight service. Its red, white, and blue paint scheme, and yellow ribbon with the message “Honoring our Veterans,” was selected by a group of 18 NS employees representing all branches of the armed forces.

“At Norfolk Southern, we are very grateful for the service of our railroaders, their families, and all veterans,” said NS CEO Wick Moorman. “The Veterans Locomotive is a rolling reminder of their contributions and sacrifice in the name of freedom.”

Read more at: http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/ ... erans.html

And here she is: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=414212

Those color combinations, graphics, and placement clash too much.

From the Altoona Mirror:

Altoona Mirror wrote:Dave Sunderland of Bellwood, a combat veteran and 24-year member of the U.S. Army Reserves, was one of the veterans who helped paint the locomotive.

"I felt proud that we could do something like that. It is awesome, it shows to me my employer cares about veterans and military people," said Sunderland, who works as a carman and painter at the shop.

General Foreman Tim Strickenberger and Trainmaster Calvin Law praised Norfolk Southern for hiring veterans like themselves.

"When we leave the military we have a lot of uncertainty about careers. I've been employed at Norfolk Southern since early 2007. I am an exception. Many veterans struggle to find employment post-military," said Strickenberger, a former U.S. Air Force staff sergeant who served as an F-16 aircraft mechanic during U.S. operations in the Middle East. "Veterans are gratified to be part of a company that honors veterans the way it does."

Read more at: http://www.altoonamirror.com/page/conte ... otive.html

Several airlines have produced time-lapse videos of their new aircraft being painted. NS followed suit and produced a time lapse video of the Veterans Locomotive being painted: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2eAk2rWjGrE

Thanks for sharing that, MEC! Norfolk Southern is sure a First-Class organization!

Side view: http://www.nscorp.com/nscorphtml/images ... nov8_1.jpg

News video from WAVY-TV: http://www.wavy.com/dpp/military/norfol ... n-for-vets

Looks even better from a distance: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=415148

Thats amazing looking!!! Great job NS. Cannot wait to see it.

Any idea what her location is?

Beyond a shadow of a doubt, Norfolk Southern EMD SD60E #6920 is a gorgeous diesel! Maybe even better than the NS Heritage Units! Nah, I'm just kidding. But, in all seriousness the 6920 is a nice tribute to our nation's veterans. I only wish CSXT did something similar, but one railroad doing something is better than nothing. Long live NS 6920 and may you clock many miles as you crisscross the Norfolk Southern system and hopefully you'll been seen on trains from other carriers like UP or BNSF in the future. Good luck NS 6920 and godspeed.

its a very nice gesture, while im not a veteran myself, i can appreciate the work put into this project and the respect for the people that keep our country free.... its a very unique but nice looking engine

Great photo by Case Thomason: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=438347" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

More spectacular photos by Casey Thomason:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=442097" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=435711" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=441496" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Posing near the Amtrak veterans locomotive; photo by Casey Thomason:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=442703" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;