Sierra Northern Railway unveils repainted locomotive to honor US' 250th anniversary

Sierra Northern Railway yesterday unveiled a specially painted locomotive to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. 

Unit No. 250 features Sierra Northern's blue, white and gold color scheme with a unique flag motif. The locomotive was originally built as an EMD GP7 for the Santa Fe Railroad in the early 1950s, and it later served the Burlington Northern Railroad.

Yolo Shortline Railroad later purchased the locomotive. The short line and Sierra Railroad Co. merged in 2003 to become Sierra Northern Railway in 2003. In 2014, the unit was rebuilt by Sierra Northern's in-house shop into a Railpower RP20BD genset, Sierra Northern officials said in a press release.

"Railroads and railroading are part of our country's fabric, and we are proud to celebrate its enduring legacy," said Sierra Northern CEO Ken Beard in a press release.

Sierra Northern operates 75 miles of tracks in Northern California and 30 miles of track in Southern California. It interchanges with BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.