Specially-painted Semiquincentennial locomotives from across America will gather at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, N.C., August 28 to 30 for what is being billed as a once-in-a-lifetime event to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary. The event is being sponsored by White River Productions, NCTM, and Trains Magazine.
While the exact list of locomotives that will appear at the event has not yet been released, officials say Class Is, short lines and passenger railroads will all be represented.
“White River Productions is thrilled to participate with the North Carolina Transportation Museum to bring America’s 250th celebration to the forefront,” said Kevin EuDaly, owner of White River Productions and publisher of Railfan & Railroad. “This will be a rare opportunity to see a tremendous group of specially painted locomotives in one place.”
The “America 250 Locomotive Celebration” is the third major gathering of locomotives at Spencer in the last 15 years, following 2012’s Norfolk Southern Heritage Locomotive Family Portrait and 2014’s Streamliners at Spencer event.
“The North Carolina Transportation Museum has been honored to host landmark events like the Norfolk Southern Heritage Locomotive Family Portrait in 2012 and Streamliners at Spencer in 2014,” said Museum Director Kelly Alexander. “The America 250 Locomotive Celebration continues that tradition and gives the American public a chance to witness a piece of living railroad history.”
“We’re pleased to partner with the North Carolina Transportation Museum on this extraordinary event,” Trains Editor Bill Stephens said. “The America 250 Locomotive Celebration will allow us to recreate the memorable 1975 Trains photo of Bicentennial locomotives in Chicago. But unlike that event in the Belt Railway of Chicago’s Clearing Yard, which was closed to the public, the America 250 Locomotive Celebration will allow everyone with a paid admission ticket to get in on the fun.”
With the Bob Julian Roundhouse as its backdrop, the resulting image of red, white, and blue locomotives is expected to become one of the defining railroad photographs of the semiquincentennial year.
Each day of the three-day event will feature different photo opportunities, with locomotives rotated on the turntable and arranged in groupings by railroad. Night photography sessions sponsored and coordinated by Railfan & Railroad, and train rides pulled by a museum diesel locomotive will be offered. A list of participating locomotives in the America 250 event will be released as details are firmed up.
Ticket details and additional information are available at nctransportationmuseum.org. Tickets go on sale Monday, July 20 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time for museum members and Tuesday, July 21 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time for everyone. The North Carolina Transportation Museum is located at 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer, N.C.