By Railfan & Railroad Staff

A recently repainted Norfolk & Western SD40-2 will star in a night photo session at Kentucky Steam in January, the non-profit recently announced. While Kentucky Steam is perhaps best known for the Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 it is restoring, it has also gathered a collection of historic diesels, including Norfolk Southern 6162, which was restored to its as-delivered N&W appearance this fall. 

On January 27, 2024, the SD40-2 will join KSHC’s other diesels for a night photo session hosted by former Norfolk Southern corporate photographer Casey Thomason. Thomason helped spearhead the restoration by enlisting the help of Steven Holmes for technical research and graphics, as well as Josh Putnam and Lindsey Poole who provided numerals for the era-specific number boards. The entire look was capped off by a fresh coat of black paint that was supplied by CSX Transportation.

“It’s a cool pet project that I brought to Kentucky Steam a year or so ago, and I’m glad they were as enthusiastic about it as I was,” Thomason said. “I’m equally as excited to have a chance to run a photo event with 6162 and KSHC’s other locomotives from the same era.”

Joining the SD40-2 during that photo event in January will be Louisville & Nashville C30-7 7067. That locomotive was donated to Kentucky Steam and painted by CSX in 2022.

The all-day event on January 27, will feature multiple staged scenes, a night photo shoot as well as a luncheon and several photo presentations, including a retrospective look at 1980s-era railroading in Kentucky through the lens of longtime rail photographer Emmett Bell. Tickets for the event are on sale now.