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History of Flags on Locomotives
https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44619
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Author:  Crescent-Zephyr [ Sat Jul 04, 2020 11:57 am ]
Post subject:  History of Flags on Locomotives

Happy 4th of July!

Seeing various railroads with the US flags flying makes me ask this question-

What is the history behind flying US / State flags on locomotives? Was it done for Presidential trains? National holidays?

Author:  Brian Norden [ Sat Jul 04, 2020 2:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: History of Flags on Locomotives

Photos show at least one of the locomotives at the Promontory Summit on May 10, 1869, displaying miniature flags at many locations on it.

In the late 1960 and early 1970s, I recall seeing the Union Pacific City of Los Angeles trains at the East Los Angeles depot, On national holidays the trains displayed US flags in the E-unit's flag holders.

Author:  EJ Berry [ Sat Jul 04, 2020 6:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: History of Flags on Locomotives

As I recall, Union Pacific made it a point to fly US Flags from the flagholders of its locomotives on July 4.

Reading Company ran an Iron Horse Ramble to Shamokin July 4, 1963 and flew US Flags from 2100's flagholders instead of the white "extra" flags (which were not required by R.Co. rules).

Phil Mulligan

Author:  Crescent-Zephyr [ Sun Jul 05, 2020 2:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: History of Flags on Locomotives

Thanks for the responses.

Very cool that the Union Pacific did that.

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