Beech Grove, IN (March 19, 2021) - Amtrak fans across the country may soon spot a few freshly painted locomotives featuring new anniversary logos rolling down the tracks as America’s Railroad® celebrates 50 years of service this year.
The first of six different commemorative 50th anniversary locomotives has already entered service on the national network.The first of which, P42 #46 in “Phase V 50th,” has already entered service on Amtrak’s national network.
Amtrak trains are being painted to mark 50 years of service. Image courtesy of Amtrak
Each P42 locomotive is being painted and overhauled at the Amtrak Beech Grove shops in Beech Grove, Ind., rolling out over the coming months and entering service across the national network. Employees will also ensure that these locomotives are maintained to high performance and safety standards.
ALC-42 #301 is currently being manufactured by Siemens in Sacramento, Calif. and is expected to be delivered in April to undergo testing in the Northeast Corridor before entering service on the national network.
Among the six locomotives, you can expect to find the following paint jobs:
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P42 #46 in “Phase V 50th” — Amtrak’s standard livery for the past two decades, with a special slogan commemorating the company’s 50 years in business;
- P42 in “Midnight Blue” — A new paint scheme celebrating the dedication of employees;
- P42 in “Phase VI” — The first adaption of the latest Amtrak livery phase on a P42;
- P42 in “Phase I” – A rendition of Amtrak’s first-ever livery phase, dating to 1972;
- P42 in “Dash 8 Phase III” — The design made for the Dash 8 fleet in the early 1990s, adapted for the first time to a P42 locomotive; and
- ALC-42 #301 in “Day 1” scheme — A recreation of the design used for the first day of Amtrak operations on May 1, 1971. Painted on Amtrak’s newest locomotive.
“We chose locomotives already budgeted for new paint as part of our life cycle preventative maintenance program and used the opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone on the most iconic component of our business,” said Amtrak President Stephen Gardner.“The locomotive designs uniquely honor our heritage and our vision of connecting communities, economies and families nationwide.”
Amtrak began service with 184 trains a day on May 1, 1971. The first train departed New York City for Philadelphia shortly after midnight that day. Amtrak continues to prepare for the future. It is completing renovations and expansion at D.C.’s Union Station that will double the station’s concourse capacity. It will take delivery of new, faster Acela trains in 2022.
Amtrak’s long-term goal is tripling passenger capacity and doubling train capacity over the next 20 years.
