NS decorates locomotive to commemorate GoRail's 10th anniversary

Today, Norfolk Southern Corp. and GoRail will unveil a locomotive decorated to commemorate GoRail's 10th anniversary during a ceremony at Union Station in Washington, D.C. The event will occur tonight, the evening preceding Railroad Day on Capitol Hill.

A nonprofit grassroots organization dedicated to educating the public about the benefits of moving more freight by rail, GoRail was founded in 2004. The GoRail locomotive will enter regular freight service on NS' system. The SD60E model unit features a paint scheme combining the infinity lines of NS' livery with the tracks from GoRail's logo.

"We believe [the locomotive] will help GoRail spread awareness about the many public benefits of rail, including more jobs, improved safety, less pollution and less energy consumption," said GoRail President Russell McGurk in a press release. "When the public understands that America's privately owned freight railroads invest billions of dollars each year in the nation's rail network, so taxpayers don't have to, they are eager to get behind pro-rail policies."

The GoRail locomotive will join NS' 30th anniversary fleet of 20 non-traditional locomotives painted in the schemes of key predecessor railroads, and a veterans' locomotive painted to honor those who have served in the military and reserves.

"Our industry has a great story to tell, and GoRail does an excellent job of educating the public about the benefits and strengths of the American freight-rail system and the continuing high levels of freight-rail investment to drive safety, service and growth," said NS Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Wick Moorman.

To view a photo of the GoRail locomotive, click on this link.