NS press release forwarded from a friend:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 6, 2012

Boldly-painted Norfolk Southern locomotive honors military
veterans everywhere

ALTOONA, PA. and NORFOLK, VA. – 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.”

Some 450 NS employees, active military representatives, civic
leaders, news media, and other guests of the railroad will
attend two invitation-only unveilings of the Veterans
Locomotive.

The first unveiling, at Norfolk Southern’s shops in Altoona,
Pa., where the unit was built and painted, is Thursday, Nov.
8. NS General Foreman Tim 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, and Trainmaster
Calvin Law, a 26-year U.S. Navy veteran who served as a
lieutenant commander during Operations Iraqi Freedom and
Enduring Freedom, will speak about their military and railroad
experiences. Keynote speaker will be Col. Grey Berrier II,
deputy commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,
28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.

The second unveiling, at NS’ Lamberts Point coal transload
facility in the railroad’s headquarters city of Norfolk, Va.,
is Monday, Nov. 12, which is the morning after Veterans Day.
Chris Carter, NS conductor and chief warrant officer 2,
Virginia Army National Guard, will address the guests about
his military and railroad experience, and CEO Moorman will
highlight NS’ desire to attract even more veterans into
railroad careers. Keynote speaker will be Col. William J.
Davis, U.S. Marine Corps (retired), director of the MacArthur
Memorial and executive director of the General Douglas
MacArthur Foundation.

Painting the Veterans Locomotive involved 26 NS employees,
two of whom are veterans, using 66 gallons of primer and paint
over a 112-hour period. To the extent possible, No. 6920 has
been kept under wraps while the work has progressed.

With its non-traditional paint scheme, the locomotive joins
NS’ Heritage Fleet of 20 locomotives that were painted in the
schemes of key predecessor railroad companies earlier this
year in observance of NS’ 30th anniversary.

Photos of No. 6920 will be posted on NS’ web site and the
Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and YouTube social media sites
after the Nov. 8 unveiling.

Over the past six years, Norfolk Southern has hired some
1,300 veterans, and today 14 percent of the total NS workforce --
more than 4,200 employees -- are veterans and members of the
National Guard and Reserves. More information about working at
Norfolk Southern can be found at NorfolkSouthern-veterans.jobs.

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the
nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk
Southern Railway subsidiary operates approximately 20,000
route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves
every major container port in the eastern United States, and
provides efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk
Southern operates the most extensive intermodal network in the
East and is a major transporter of coal and industrial
products.

Can't wait to see this.
Anyone remember that amazing Desert Storm paint job that UP put on a SD40-2? This reminds me of that to a degree.

As an Army vet, I think it's great to see something like this. The military has always had strong ties with the RR industry and it's great to see that continuing...

Not so much now, but the organization of railroad companies after the Civil War was heavily influenced by retired military officers who moved into the transportation industry after the war was over.

Now all they have to do is bring it to the Wilmington & Western and pose it with their "Veterans Locomotive" #58, so dedicated back in May of 1999.

Thumbs up, NS. Wonder when CSX is going to catch on?

I honestly believe that CSX(T) is caught up in its own "greatness" to apply something like what Norfolk Southern is doing to their own locomotives. They hardly recognize that they even have a past. They also have an equally as colorful railroad history as Norfolk Southern. But, CSX(T) chooses not to honor it. They'll stick to their motto, "How tomorrow moves", strictly. I'd personally LOVE to see some CSX Heritage Units, they contain my favorite fallen flag railroad - the C&O. I love what Norfolk Southern is doing. NOTE: This was not meant as an attack toward any person/entity (except CSX(T)). - Just making sure that I didn't offend anyone, just posting my opinion.

Love the paint job, thumbs up, NS!

Awesome, Good Job NS!

There's a very nice video of the painting in time-lapse, and also a nice one honoring the vets who work for NS on this link:

http://www.nscorp.com/nscportal/nscorp/Community/veterans/index.html

Kudos to both companies, NS and UP. You won't be able to miss the NS locomotive in transit, but should UP run the SD40-2 in the desert, You should be pressed to see it!

Great work from two great railroads.