News photos: Wheeling & Lake Erie unveils U.S. 250th birthday locomotive

BREWSTER, Ohio — The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway has unveiled a red, white, and blue locomotive to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence in 2026.

In a social media post, the railroad says the design was inspired by Norfolk & Western’s bicentennial locomotive in 1976, but with “a bold Wheeling twist, including chevron striping and our signature flying letters.” Other details, according to the W&LE, include a brass bell, “raised letter” number boards, and a restored Leslie air horn. It says the design was specifically intended to ensure the full red, white, and blue color scheme is visible from the front, “so when it’s rolling down the tracks, you know the 1776 is coming.”

The post does not specifically identify the locomotive model or its prior number, but it is presumably one of the railroad’s SD40-3 rebuilds.

The locomotive will require some final mechanical work before entering service in late July or early August.