Welcome!

This feature highlights the heritage locomotives that Norfolk Southern painted for its predecessor roads as part of its 30th anniversary in 2012.

Listed below is background on the the NS heritage locomotive program, as well as
roster information and links to photo pages for each heritage unit.

This page and the roster information was compiled and is maintained by Chris. R. Toth. Any additions, corrections or questions are welcomed.

Please Note: This website is not affiliated with, sponsored, nor supported by Norfolk Southern Corporation.

 

 

This feature was last updated on:
December 10, 2024

 

 


Feature Index

(Click on any of the links below to go directly to that section of the page)

 

 


 



Background

On March 1, 2012, Norfolk Southern announced that it would be honoring its predecessor railroads by painting 18 new locomotives in heritage paint schemes. Each of the locomotives would be painted in a scheme to closely match those previously used by the predecessor roads. The selected predecessor railroads included:

Central of Georgia Railway
Central Railroad of New Jersey
Conrail
Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Erie Railroad
Illinois Terminal Railroad
Interstate Railroad
Lehigh Valley Railroad
New York Central Railroad
New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad (Nickel Plate Road)
Norfolk Southern Railway
Norfolk & Western Railway
Pennsylvania Railroad
Reading Company
Savannah & Atlanta Railway
Southern Railway
Virginian Railway
Wabash Railroad

On March 16, 2012, Norfolk Southern announced that a 19th heritage locomotive would be painted for:

Penn Central

On May 3, 2012, Norfolk Southern announced a 20th heritage locomotive to be painted for:

 Monongahela Railway

 

"Family Portrait"


On May 21, 2012, Norfolk Southern announced that all 20 heritage locomotives would gather for a "family portrait" event at the North Carolina Transportation Museum (NCTM) in Spencer, North Carolina, to be held on July 3rd and 4th, 2012.  The event was open to the public on both days for fans to take photos of the locomotives in a variety of day and night settings.  NS also sent EMD SD70ACe #1030 to represent its current paint scheme, with the "30" in the road number signifying the Norfolk Southern 30th anniversary.  Once at Spencer, the front number boards on the #1030 were temporarily changed to 1982 and 2012 to represent the 30 years since the merger between the Norfolk & Western and Southern Railways.



Click on the images to view full size.
 

Additional Heritage Locomotives

 

In November of 2015, Norfolk Southern released its 21st heritage locomotive, EMD SD45-2 #1700
painted in its original Erie Lackawanna Railway paint scheme.

 

In December of 2024, Norfolk Southern released its 22nd heritage locomotive, freshly rebuilt GE/NS AC44C6M #4851 painted for the Tennessee Alabama & Georgia (TAG) Railway.

 

 

 



 

 

 

The Locomotives

The 20 locomotives selected for NS heritage paint include 10 new Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) SD70ACe models and 10 General Electric (GE) ES44AC models, nine of which were already on order for 2012 delivery. NS 8025 was selected to be repainted as the Monongahela Railway heritage unit, since all of the new units for 2012 were already painted and in service when the selection was made.

      The nine new ES44AC units were delivered in March 2012 from GE in primer and were painted by NS at its two locomotive paint shops located in Altoona, PA, and Chattanooga, TN. 

The 10 SD70ACe locomotives were delivered from EMD in May and June 2012.  All 10 were built and painted at the EMD plant in Muncie, IN.

NS EMD SD45-2 #1700 was repainted at the NS Chattanooga, TN paint shop and released in 11/2015.

NS GE/NS AC44C6M rebuild #4851 was painted at the NS Juniata Shops at Altoona, PA in December 2024.

 

 

 


NS Heritage
EMD SD70ACe
Roster & Photos


-
10 Units

Click on Thumbnails
for Photo Pages
of Each Unit
Road
Number
Heritage
Railroad
EMD Order
Number
Build
Date
Builder
Number
Date
 Delivered
To NS
Released
From Paint
Date 
Notes
(See bottom of roster.)
NS 1065 Savannah &
Atlanta
Railway
20116573 05-2012 20116573-001 06-01-2012 05-09-2012 1, 2
NS 1066 New York
Central
Railroad
20116573 05-2012 20116573-002 06-01-2012 05-21-2012 1, 2
NS 1067 Reading
Company
20116573 05-2012 20116573-003 06-20-2012 05-23-2012 1, 2
NS 1068 Erie
Railroad
20116573 05-2012 20116573-004 06-20-2012 05-25-2012 1, 2
NS 1069 Virginian
Railway
20116573 05-2012 20116573-005 06-27-2012 06-05-2012 1, 2
NS 1070 Wabash
Railroad
20116573 05-2012 20116573-006 06-27-2012 06-21-2012 1, 2
NS 1071 Central
Railroad of
New Jersey
20116573 05-2012 20116573-007 06-27-2012 06-22-2012 1, 2
NS 1072 Illinois
Terminal
Railroad
20116573 05-2012 20116573-008 06-27-2012 06-26-2012 1, 2
NS 1073 Penn
Central
20116573 05-2012 20116573-009 06-27-2012 06-25-2012 1, 2
NS 1074 Delaware
Lackawanna
& Western
20116573 05-2012 20116573-010 06-27-2012 06-27-2012 1, 2
 

SD70ACe General Info

 

   Notes

Horsepower:   4,300
Engine:   EMD 16-710G3C-T2
Total Weight:   432,000 lbs.
Fuel Capacity:   4,900 gallons
Lube Oil Capacity:  420 gallons
Water capacity:   325 gallons
Sand Capacity:  40 cubic feet
Dynamic Braking:  High Capacity Extended Range
Maximum Continuous Tractive Effort:  157,000 lbs.
Truck Type:  HTCR-4 Radial
Wheel Diameter:  43"
Gear Ratio:  83:18
Control Stand:  Single
Horn:  Nathan K5LLAR1L
Bell:  Electric
Snow Plow:  Front End Only
Ditch Lights: Both Ends
Cab Signals:  Yes
LSL (Locomotive Speed Limiter): Yes
Air Conditioning:  Yes

All units are equipped for use in DPU (Distributed Power Unit) operations.

All units are equipped withr ECP (Electronically Controlled Pneumatic train braking.

All units are equipped with NS LEADER/ PTC (Positive Train Control) systems.

All units meet EPA Tier 3 Specifications


 

  1. Unit constructed at EMD Muncie, IN plant.

  2. All units were painted by EMD in respective heritage paint schemes prior to delivery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


NS Heritage
GE ES44AC
Roster & Photos


-
10 Units

Click on Thumbnails
for Photo Pages
of Each Unit
Road
Number
Heritage
Railroad
GE Order
Number
Build
Date
Builder
Number
Date
 Delivered
To NS
Released
From Paint
Date 
Notes
(See bottom of roster.)
NS 8025 Monongahela Railway 1979 09-2010 58862 11-07-2010 06-16-2012 2, 5

NS 8098 Conrail 1991 02-2012 60752 03-06-2012 03-15-2012 1
NS 8099 Southern
Railway
1991 02-2012 60753 03-06-2012 03-20-2012 2
NS 8100 Nickel Plate
Road
1991 02-2012 60754 03-10-2012 03-28-2012 1, 6
NS 8101 Central of
Georgia
Railway
1991 02-2012 60755 03-10-2012 04-06-2012 2
NS 8102 Pennsylvania
Railroad
1991 02-2012 60756 03-26-2012 04-18-2012 1
NS 8103 Norfolk &
Western
Railway
1991 02-2012 60757 03-24-2012 04-09-2012 1
NS 8104 Lehigh Valley
Railroad
1991 02-2012 60758 03-23-2012 04-23-2012 1, 7
NS 8105 Interstate
Railroad
1991 02-2012 60759 03-24-2012 04-18-2012 2
NS 8114 Norfolk
Southern
Railway
1991 03-2012 60768 03-22-2012 04-26-2012 2, 3, 4
 

ES44AC General Info

 

   Notes:

Horsepower:   4,400
Engine:   GE GEVO-12
Total Weight:   432,000 lbs.
Fuel Capacity:   4,800 gallons
Lube Oil Capacity:  400 gallons
Water Capacity:   450 gallons
Sand Capacity:  40 cubic feet
Dynamic Braking:  High Capacity Extended Range
Maximum Continuous Tractive Effort:  166,000 lbs.
Truck Type:  Hi-Adhesion
Wheel Diameter:  42" (Fat 40)
Gear Ratio:  83:20
Control Stand:  Single
Horn:  Nathan K5HL-R2
Bell:  Electric
Snow Plow:  Front End Only
Ditch Lights: Both Ends
Cab Signals:  Yes
LSL (Locomotive Speed Limiter): Yes
Air Conditioning:  Yes

All units are equipped for use in DPU (Distributed Power Unit) operations.

All units are equipped with ECP (Electronically Controlled Pneumatic train braking.

All units are equipped with NS LEADER/ PTC (Positive Train Control) systems.

Unit 8025 meets EPA Tier 2 Specifications.
Units 8098-8105, and 8114 meet EPA Tier 3 Specifications.

 

 

 

 

 


 

  1. Painted by the Norfolk Southern paint shop located at Altoona, PA.

  2. Painted by the Norfolk Southern paint shop located at Chattanooga, TN.

  3. Initially, Norfolk Southern planned for 18 heritage locomotives, which included eight GE ES44AC units to be numbered as NS 8098-8105.  When Penn Central was added as the 19th heritage unit, NS chose to make the PC unit an EMD SD70ACe and switched the original NS scheme to instead be applied to a GE ES44AC.  That required GE to deliver an additional ES44AC in primer.  Because GE already had most of the 2012 units nearing completion, a later unit in the order had to be used and 8114 was selected.

  4. This unit is painted for the original Norfolk Southern Railway, which was acquired by Southern Railway in 1974.

  5. Since the decision for adding the 20th heritage unit came after the delivery of the new 2012 GE ES44AC's, NS chose ES44AC 8025 for repainting as the Monongahela Railway heritage unit.

  6. The cab road numbers and NS sub-lettering were redone at Chattanooga and was completed 05-26-2012. The number font style now matches the original NKP style, as does the sub-lettering font style and location.

  7. The front and rear nose logos were redone larger with a white border, white nose and pilot striping were added, the side nose flags were reduced in size, and the end handrails and step edges were changed from yellow to orange to more better replicate the original Lehigh Valley units.  The changes were done at Altoona and were completed 06-11-2012.
     

 

 

 



Click on the thumbnail image above to view the photo page for this unit.



NS Heritage
Erie Lackawanna
EMD SD45-2 #1700

 

 


NS 1700 Roster Information

Road No.

Previous No.

Original No.

Original NS Subsidiary

Build Date

Order No.

Builder No.

1700

CR 6654

EL 3669 PRRX 11-1972 7381 7381-1

General Info

Horsepower = 3,000 (See note below regarding engine)
Total Weight = 388,800 lbs.
Fuel Tank Capacity = 5,000 gallons
Lube Oil Capacity = 396 gallons
Water Capacity = 288 gallons
Sand Capacity = 56 cubic feet
Dynamic Braking = Extended Range
Maximum Continuous Tractive Effort:  82,100 lbs.
Truck Type:  Flexicoil-C
Wheel Diameter:  40"
Gear Ratio:  62:15
Horn:  Leslie RSL-3LR
Bell:  Pneumatic
Snow Plow:  Front End Only
Ditch Lights: Both Ends
Control = Single
Cab Signals = Yes
LSL (Locomotive Speed Limiter) = Yes
Air Conditioning = Yes

The original 20-cylinder engine was replaced with an
EMD 16-cylinder 645E3 model and is rated at 3,000 horsepower.

This unit is equipped with an electric handbrake.

This unit is equipped with NS LEADER/PTC (Positive Train Control) system.

This unit was painted at the NS paint shop at Chattanooga, TN and released on November 1, 2015.

 

 

 

 



Click on the thumbnail image above to view the photo page for this unit.


NS Heritage
Tennessee Alabama & Georgia
GE/NS AC44C6M #4851

 

NS 4851 Roster Information

Road No. Rebuilt From Rebuild Date Rebuilt By Original
Build Date
Original
Order No.
Original Build No.
4851 NS GE Dash 9-44CW 9583 11-2024 NS Juniata
Locomotive Shop
12-2000 1934 52905

General Info

Horsepower = 4,400
Engine:   GE 7FDL-16 EFI
Total Weight = 432,800 lbs.
Fuel Tank Capacity = 5,000 gallons
Lube Oil Capacity = 410 gallons
Water Capacity = 380 gallons
Sand Capacity = 40 cubic feet
Dynamic Braking = High Capacity Extended Range
Maximum Continuous Tractive Effort:  166,000 lbs.
Truck Type:  Hi-Adhesion
Wheel Diameter:  42"
Gear Ratio:  87:16
Horn:  Nathan K5LA-R24
Bell: Electric
Snow Plow:  Front End Only
Ditch Lights: Both Ends
Control = Single
Cab Signals = Yes
LSL (Locomotive Speed Limiter) = Yes
Air Conditioning = Yes

The AC44C6M rebuilding included conversion to AC traction utilizing GE electrical components, new
electrical cabinet, replacement of the existing crew cab and low short hood with a new GE widenose and
cab, new replacement trucks + traction motors, and additional weight was added.

This unit meets Tier 1+ emission standards.

Unit is equipped for use in DPU (Distributed Power Unit) operation.

Unit is equipped with GE Trip Optimizer/PTC (Positive Train Control) system.

Unit is equipped with an electric handbrake.

This unit was painted at the NS Juniata Shops at Altoona, PA and released on December 2, 2024.

 

 

 

 


A Look Back at
NS "Southern"
EMD GP59 #4610

 



The First NS Heritage Locomotive

 

This web page would not be complete without taking a look back at the first Norfolk Southern heritage locomotive, NS EMD GP59 #4610. 

In 1992, a request for a special commemorative Southern Railway locomotive was made to Norfolk Southern from the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers - Southern Railway General Committee of Adjustment.  The project was the idea of Ben Lee, BLE local Chairman at Charlotte, NC.  Mr. Lee made the request, designed the altered Southern passenger paint scheme, designed the commemorative plaque honoring NS-BLE Thoroughbred Quality joint projects and Southern Railway engineers.  The locomotive would also commemorate the centennial of the Southern Railway (1894-1994) and was intended as an occasional helper engine for the then active Southern 4501 steam locomotive.  The request was made to NS executives Arnold McKinnon and Paul Rudder.  NS realized the significance of all aspects of the project and approval was given. 

Although rumors circulated that a new EMD SD70 locomotive would receive the commemorative paint, NS instead chose to repaint a 3-1/2 year old EMD GP59.  The reasoning was that it would be better to have a lower horsepower, four-axle GP59 tied up when the unit was sent to special events, rather than a high-adhesion, high horsepower, six-axle locomotive.  

In April of 1994, the NS locomotive paint shop at Chattanooga, Tennessee, outshopped the 4610 in its special commemorative Southern Railway paint.  It was painted in classic Southern Sylvan Green and Imitation Aluminum, with black frame, trucks and fuel tank, and dulux gold (yellow) lettering and logos.  The special commemorative plaque was located on the left side of the long hood, just under the radiator grilles.  The 4610 was used across the NS system, although much of its time was spent at different locations in the south.  The unit also appeared for display at many railfan events.

After 10 years in service, the special paint on the 4610 was looking a bit weathered and rumors surfaced that the unit would be repainted, presumably back into NS black.  However, in May 2004, the 4610 was again repainted at the NS paint shop at Chattanooga, TN, in fresh Southern commemorative green.  It was released just in time for the 50th anniversary celebration of the NS Debutts Yard in Chattanooga, TN.  A couple differences in the paint were that the SR end logos were in gold leaf rather than dulux gold (yellow) and the commemorative plaque, which had "disappeared" during its first 10 years in service, was not replaced.  Two additional changed occurred, the first in May 2005 when the unit received a rooftop air conditioning unit on the cab, and the second was in April 2008, when it received the FRA-mandated 4" solid white reflective striping on both sides of the frame.

 In late 2011, rumors again surfaced, saying that the 4610 was to be repainted.  In December 2011, it was placed into storage at the NS Juniata Locomotive Shops at Altoona, PA, while it awaited shop time for some needed mechanical repairs. and repainting.  On January 21, 2012, the 4610 was released from the NS Juniata Shops, freshly painted in NS black and white "horsehead" Operation Lifesaver paint scheme.  After nearly 18 years of service in the Southern commemorative paint, the 4610 was repainted as NS was making plans for its 30th anniversary heritage locomotive fleet.  A new Southern Railway GE ES44AC heritage unit was released from Chattanooga, TN, on March 20, 2012.

 

NS 4610 Roster Information

Road No.

Original NS Subsidiary
Sub-Lettering
Build Date Builder
Order No.
Builder No.
NS 4610 SOU 11-1989 887007 887007-2


GP59 General Info

Horsepower:  3,000
Engine:   EMD 12-710G3A
Total Weight:   272,000 lbs.
Fuel Capacity:   3,500 gallons
Lube Oil Capacity:  344 gallons
Water capacity:   210 gallons
Sand Capacity:  56 cubic feet
Dynamic Braking:  High Capacity Extended Range
Maximum Continuous Tractive Effort:  66,670 lbs.
Wheel Diameter:  40"
Gear Ratio:  70:17
Control Stand:  Bi-Directional (see below)
Horn:  Nathan K5LA-R24
Bell:  Pneumatic
Snow Plow:  Both Ends
Ditch Lights: Both Ends
Cab Signals:  No
LSL (Locomotive Speed Limiter): No
Air Conditioning:  Installed 05/2005

Unit equipped with a bi-directional control stand with the long hood designated as the front. 

Repainted into Norfolk Southern "horsehead" Operation Lifesaver black and white scheme 01/16/2012.

 

 

NS 4610 Photo Page

Click on the image below to go to the NS 4610 photo page.

 

 

 

 

 


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Please Note: This is the personal
website of Chris R. Toth. It is not affiliated with, sponsored
nor supported by
Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Information and photos from this website should not be used without permission and/or proper credit.