CSX I026 with CSX Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Heritage Unit (SCL), 1967 trailing second, heads north at Crofton, Kentucky on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, on August 6th, 2024 behind CSXT 7273.

According to a CSX Press Release: May 23, 2024 – CSX Transportation has launched its newest heritage locomotive, paying tribute to the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL). This latest addition is part of CSX’s ongoing initiative to honor its historical roots while paving the way for the future of railroading in America.

The Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL) was a prominent rail line that operated in the southeastern United States from 1967 until 1983. SCL emerged from the merger of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad and the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. In 1986, SCL became part of CSX through a series of mergers and acquisitions that formed one of the largest Class I railroads in North America.

“When SCL was an active railroad, it was the eighth largest railroad with almost 10,000 miles across the southern United States,” explained CSX Carman Painter Jason Merritt, one of the team members who worked on the project. “In fact, the ‘S’ in CSX actually stands for Seaboard.”

CSX has been dedicated to preserving the legacy of the railroads that form its foundation by creating heritage locomotives. These locomotives are meticulously designed and crafted at the company’s locomotive shop in Waycross, Georgia. Each piece represents a significant chapter in the rich history of American railroading.

CSX Carman Painter Tim Music said, “This project was especially meaningful to me because both my late brother and sister retired from CSX and experienced the Seaboard Coastline years. Growing up just 100 feet from the railroad tracks, I vividly recall the black and yellow SCL paint scheme passing by every day.”

The new SCL heritage locomotive joins a growing fleet of locomotives that celebrate the diverse and storied past of CSX. The unit is the fourteenth in the series produced by the railroad. By honoring these historic lines, CSX not only pays homage to its origins but also inspires a deep appreciation for the role railroads have played in shaping the nation’s infrastructure and economy.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.

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The CSX Conrail Heritage Locomotive leads CSX I026 northbound through Mortons Junction at Mortons Gap, Ky, on July 18th, 2024, on the CSX Henderson Subdivision as they make their daily run to Chicago, Illinois.

According to a CSX Press Release: July 22, 2023 – CSX has unveiled the fourth locomotive in its series of custom paint designs that honor its heritage railroads. The latest in the series commemorates the Consolidated Rail Corporation, or Conrail, and bears the number 1976, the year the railroad was founded.

CSX and Norfolk Southern acquired and divided most of the Conrail network in 1997. Today, the company continues to exist as a terminal and switching railroad for CSX and NS customers in North Jersey-New York City metro area.

The Conrail paint scheme of a double-lined C inside a large, bold Q was a fixture for many years across the Northeast where the majority of the railroad’s operations were centered. The heritage locomotive design conceived and executed at CSX’s locomotive shop in Waycross, Georgia, recreates the iconic “Conrail Quality” logo and features Conrail blue on the rear two-thirds of the engine, then transitions to the current CSX colors and design on the cab portion of the unit.

CSX 1976 and other locomotives in the heritage series will be placed into revenue service and travel CSX’s 20,000 rail network, reinforcing employee pride in the history of the railroad that continues to move the nation’s economy with safe, reliable and sustainable rail-based transportation services.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/1250, ISO 100.

CSX I025 heads southbound with CSX Pere Marquette Heritage Unit 1899, leading the way on the CSX Henderson Subdivision, as they pass the CSX Yard office at Guthrie, Kentucky, on July 18th, 2024.

According to a CSX Press Release: May 1, 2024 – CSX has introduced the latest addition in its heritage locomotive series, paying homage to the rich history of the Pere Marquette Railroad. This new unit showcases the Pere Marquette’s legacy, dating back to its inception on November 1, 1899.

The Pere Marquette Railroad, operating in the Great Lakes region of the United States and parts of southern Ontario, Canada, derived its name from Jacques Marquette, a notable French Jesuit missionary credited with founding Michigan’s first European settlement in Sault Ste Marie. After years of operation, the company merged with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) on June 6, 1947, eventually becoming part of the renowned CSX network.

The design of the Pere Marquette heritage locomotive was meticulously crafted by employees at the CSX Waycross Locomotive Shop. According to CSX Carman Painter Eric Lee, “We had to measure each stripe precisely and position the words just right to ensure it captured the look of the original design. It took us about four days just to lay out the stripes before we could begin painting.”

A fascinating tidbit related to the history of Pere Marquette is its cameo in the 2004 film “The Polar Express.” The steam locomotive Pere Marquette 1225 served as the inspiration for the train depicted in the movie, with audio recordings of the actual locomotive in operation featured in the film. Interestingly, the locomotive had been donated to Michigan State University and was exhibited near the university’s football stadium. The author of “The Polar Express” book drew inspiration from seeing this locomotive on display during childhood, solidifying its place in popular culture.

CSX’s dedication to honoring the history and significance of the Pere Marquette Railroad through this new locomotive underscores the company’s commitment to preserving and celebrating the heritage of American railroads. Keep an eye out as this remarkable piece of history moves across the CSX network, bridging the past with the present.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2000, ISO 100.