SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Abraham Lincoln — or at least the locomotive celebrating his memory — returned to Lincoln’s hometown of Springfield, Ill., today (Tuesday, July 1).
Union Pacific’s Lincoln commemorative locomotive came to Springfield to celebrate the day Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act authorizing construction of the Transcontinential Railroad — the day UP recognizes as its birthday (No. 163, in this case). After a ceremony featuring the locomotive, and marking Springfield’s recognition as one of Union Pacific’s official “Train Town USA” communities, the locomotive was placed on public display for two hours.
“Union Pacific is incredibly proud of our heritage, and we are honored to share this special locomotive in the hometown of the man who brought our railroad to life and unleashed economic prosperity,” said Liisa Stark, UP vice president of Public Affairs. “We think Lincoln would have been proud of the vital role railroads serve today in delivering the goods and products essential for everyday life in America.”
The event was sponsored by Union Pacific, the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, Looking for Lincoln (the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area), and Hanson Professional Services.
The Lincoln locomotive debuted in April after its repainting at UP’s North Little Rock (Ark.) Shops [see “Union Pacific unveils …,” April 30, 2025]. Its color scheme commemorates UP 4-4-0 No. 119, part of the Golden Spike ceremony in Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10, 1869.
Excellent! I used to pick up Amtrak at this old GM&O station in the 70’s to head to Chicago.
This track will be gone in a few more years as they move Amtrak to a multi-modal station under construction. The former Alton/GM&O line in the picture will be removed from Iles to Ridgely in downtown Springfield.
Now the Illinois legislators can stop bellayaching about freight vibrations and noise during official proceedings. This line passes 2 blocks from the capitol building.