NORTHUMBERLAND, Pa. — The North Shore Railroad Co., operator of six Pennsylvania short lines, has introduced a new paint scheme for SW1500 No. 2238 to honor the 250th anniversary of American independence — a design it describes as “the first documented time a locomotive has been painted as a mural.”
The locomotive features differing, complex designs on each side: One side features George Washington crossing the Delaware River; the Declaration of Independence; and the Liberty Bell. The other includes a bald eagle flying over “amber waves of grain” and “purple mountains majesty” from the lyrics of “America the Beautiful;” an American flag; the Statue of Liberty; and “oceans white with foam,” another nod to “America the Beautiful.”
Other features include one of the exhaust stacks as Paul Revere’s lantern with the other as a cloud of black gun powder; the inscription “In God We Trust” on the cab; an inscription from the Liberty Bell on the cab roof; Mayham Tower, built in Augusta, Ga., 2,238 days into the Revolutionary War, on the cab door; and fireworks on the back of the cab.
The locomotive was hand-painted by Pedro Reyes of Sunbury, Pa. “We are blessed to have such a talented artist in our backyard,” said North Shore CEO Jeb Stotter. “If we did not have total faith in him and his work, this engine would never have been repainted. We knew from the word ‘Go’ that Pedro was the perfect partner for this project, and we were right.”
The locomotive will tour the North Shore system in 2026, with scheduled photo opportunities and tributes. Follow the railroad on social media for details.
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