March 12, 2014
Norfolk Southern unveils new
locomotive in celebration of GoRail’s tenth anniversary
Unique commemorative locomotive
joins Norfolk Southern’s fleet
NORFOLK, VA. – GoRail and Norfolk
Southern announced the unveiling of its one-of-a-kind GoRail locomotive today to
commemorate the 10th anniversary of GoRail, a non-profit grassroots organization
dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of moving more freight by
rail. Founded in 2004, GoRail mobilizes support for policies that would lead to
more freight moving by rail and opposition to policies that would limit the
freight railroads’ ability to meet growing freight demand. The GoRail locomotive
will enter into regular freight service on Norfolk Southern’s system.
“We are honored that Norfolk
Southern has commissioned this special GoRail locomotive and are excited for its
debut,” said GoRail President Russell McGurk. “We believe it will help GoRail
spread awareness about the many public benefits of rail, including more jobs,
improved safety, less pollution and less energy consumption. When the public
understands that America’s privately owned freight railroads invest billions of
dollars each year in the nation’s rail network, so taxpayers don’t have to, they
are eager to get behind pro-rail policies.”
The SD60E model features a paint
scheme combining the infinity lines of the Norfolk Southern livery with the
tracks of the GoRail logo. The lines end in an arrow to depict movement, and the
GoRail colors carry through the modified speed lines to show the unity of GoRail
and Norfolk Southern, creating the look of land as seen from above and
signifying freight movement. The GoRail locomotive joins Norfolk Southern’s 30th
anniversary fleet of 20 non-traditional locomotives painted in the schemes of
key predecessor railroad companies and the veterans’ locomotive painted to honor
those who have served in the military and reserves. The GoRail locomotive was
painted in Altoona, involving 14 Norfolk Southern employees using 60 gallons of
primer and paint over a 40-hour period.
“Our industry has a great story to
tell, and GoRail does an excellent job of educating the public about the
benefits and strengths of the American freight rail system and the continuing
high levels of freight rail investment to drive safety, service and growth,”
said Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman. “We are pleased to help promote GoRail
and their pro-rail mission.”
The unveiling of the GoRail
locomotive (No. 6963) will take place at a reception on Wednesday, March 12 at
Union Station in Washington, D.C., the evening preceding Railroad Day on Capitol
Hill. Photos will then be posted to the GoRail and Norfolk Southern social media
accounts.
A time-lapse video of the painting
of No. 6963 is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h55AaK6rZ0.
GoRail is a national non-profit
grassroots organization founded in 2004 with the support of the nation’s freight
railroads and rail supply companies. GoRail unites rail stakeholders with
community leaders and the public to support rail solutions for tomorrow’s
transportation challenges.
Norfolk Southern
Corporation
(NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation’s premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk
Southern Railway Company 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, automotive, and industrial products.
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GoRail
Contact:
Curtis Sloan,
703-519-4740, csloan@gorail.org
Norfolk Southern
Contacts:
Following photo is from RailPictures.Net taken on 3-1-14 at the Juniata Locomotive Shop in Altoona, PA.
