The United States celebrates its semiquincentennial anniversary (250 years) in July 2026! Manufacturers have started announcing motive power for this notable event. The following is a list of what’s been announced; I will update this article as I receive more announcements. If you know of a locomotive not on this list, including S gauge engines, please email me at editor@classictoytrains.com Please note: I’m not including rolling stock here, unless it’s part of a set.
Atlas O
Atlas Model Railroad Co., Inc., 378 Florence Ave., Hillside, NJ 07205, has announced two patriotic-themed SD40-2 diesel locomotives as part of the Premier line. The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway No. 1776 features red/white/blue graphics (30138695). The Reading & Northern No. 1776 is based on a paint scheme announced on Veterans Day 2025 to commemorate the United State’s semiquincentennial anniversary (30138772). Both engines feature Proto-Sound 3.0, cab figures, operating couplers, and O-31 operation. Price: $749.95. Website: shop.atlasrr.com
Atlas O has also announced a model of Lake State Railway’s SD70M No. 1776 (30138746). The engine features Proto-Sound 3.0. Price: $749.96. Website: shop.atlasrr.com
Lionel
Lionel Trains, 6301 Performance Dr., Concord, NC 28027, has several products for the Semiquincentennial anniversary. The America Celebration set (2623030) includes a 4-4-0 locomotive with three freight cars, with the option to purchase add-on pieces. Price: $459.99. The CSX Spirit of America set (2623010) includes a Dash-8 locomotive with three freight cars. Price: $439.99.
The American Celebration Trolley (2635030) features operating headlights and O-27 operation. Price: $184.99. The Founding Fathers George Washington No. 1776 (2645010) is a 4-4-0 locomotive with smoke, operating headlight, O-31 operation, and more. Price: $259.99.
Lionel announces an America Legacy Brass Hybrid 4-4-0 (2631620). The engine features Legacy control with four-digit addressing, Bluetooth, brass and die-cast construction, and O-36 operation. Price: $1299.99.
Lionel also has two versions of the T1/American Freedom Train steam locomotive, both painted in American Freedom Train graphics (2631430 and 2631440). The engines feature whistle steam, road-specific details, and O-54 operation. Price: $1799.99.
Last but not least, Lionel is selling two versions of the LionChief U36B (264180 and 2645190), one decorated in Seaboard Coast Line and the other in Delaware & Hudson. The engines feature Bluetooth, Lionel Voice Control, operating headline, and O-31 operation. Price: $299.99. Website: lionel.com
Mr. Muffin
Mr. Muffin’s Trains, 165 E. Main St., Atlanta IN 46031, has a custom-run GP35 as part of the Premier line. The engine features Proto-Sound 3.0 with Freight Yard Proto-Effects, onboard DCC/DCS decoder, O-42 operation, and much more (20-22109). Expected delivery in February 2026. Price: $669.95. Website: mrmuffinstrains.com
MTH
MTH Electric Trains, 7393 Washington Blvd. Ste. 101, Elkridge, MD 21075, offers a SD9 Diesel locomotive as part of the RailKing line (30-21359). The engine features Proto-Sound 3.0, cab No. 250, and O-31 operation. Price: $479.95. Website: mthtrains.com
Sunset Models 3rd Rail
3rd Rail Division of Sunset Models, 16 Beta Court, San Ramon, CA 94583, has announced an O scale Southern Pacific’s No. 4449 GS4 “American Freedom Train.” The 3-rail version of the locomotive features an all-brass body and chassis and is TMCC/DCS/Legacy/conventional operation compatible. An optional Blunami upgrade is available. The engine will be available in both the AFT bicentennial and Amtrak patched-tender paint schemes. Price: $2,649.99. Website: thirdandtownsendmodels.com
