Union Pacific Celebrates its 163rd Birthday with New Commemorative No. 1616 Lincoln Locomotive in President Lincoln’s Hometown

July 01, 2025 at 17:18 PM EDT

Springfield Honored with Train Town USA Designation as part of the Festivities

Union Pacific Railroad celebrated its 163^rd birthday today in the hometown of its famed founder – President Abraham Lincoln – with the help of numerous dignitaries and its newest commemorative locomotive that honors Lincoln’s role in laying the foundation for America’s best-in-the-world freight rail system.

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Union Pacific's No. 1616 Lincoln Locomotive, with the Illinois State Capitol in the background.

The event was sponsored by Union Pacific, the Lincoln Presidential Foundation, Looking for Lincoln and Hanson Professional Services. Special guests at the event included Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher, Illinois Railroad Association President Tim Butler, Lincoln Presidential Foundation President and CEO Erin Mast, National Park Service Superintendent Chris Collins, State Sen. Doris Turner, State Sen. Mike Coffey, Union Pacific Vice President – Public Affairs Liisa Stark and Union Pacific Senior Director – Public Affairs in Illinois Tom Evenson.

Lincoln founded Union Pacific with the signing of the historic Pacific Railway Act on July 1, 1862, which authorized construction of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad network.

“Union Pacific is incredibly proud of our heritage, and we are honored to share this special locomotive in the hometown of the man who brought our railroad to life and unleashed economic prosperity,” said Liisa Stark, vice president of Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad. “We think Lincoln would have been proud of the vital role railroads serve today in delivering the goods and products essential for everyday life in America.”

The Lincoln Locomotive, which serves as a traveling ambassador for Union Pacific, made its debut on April 30 in North Little Rock, where it was painted by Union Pacific employees. It is painted in a color scheme unique to Lincoln’s era and serves as a nod to another famed locomotive - No. 119 – which was one of two locomotives present at the Golden Spike Ceremony in Promontory Summit, Utah, in 1869, which marked the completion of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad.

Springfield was also designated as an official Train Town USA community. The honor celebrates the towns and communities along Union Pacific’s tracks, many of which exist because of the railroad. Just as they were more than 100 years ago, these communities remain vital to the railroad’s success.

“It is an incredible honor for Springfield to host Union Pacific Railroad on this historic milestone and to welcome the Lincoln Locomotive to the hometown of our 16th president. Abraham Lincoln’s vision helped unite a nation, and that legacy lives on through the railroads that continue to connect communities and drive economic progress. Being named a Train Town USA is a proud recognition of Springfield’s enduring role in our nation’s rail history,” said Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher.

Railroads are at the heart of the U.S. economy and touch nearly every industry including vehicles, chemicals, energy, agriculture, metals, minerals, forest products, consumer goods and more. Union Pacific’s more than 30,000 employees deliver essential items from lumber and drywall to build homes to corn and wheat to make bread and cereal.

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

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ABOUT THE LINCOLN PRESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION

Established in 2000, the Lincoln Presidential Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity headquartered in Illinois. It is the only national foundation focused on increasing access to history, educational programs, exhibits, and sites highlighting the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The Foundation works in cooperation and partnership with others locally, nationally, and globally. Its vision is a world where freedom and democracy flourish, inspired by the life and work of Abraham Lincoln. Learn more at lincolnpresidential.org.

ABOUT LOOKING FOR LINCOLN

The Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition is the coordinating entity for the 43-county Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area. It is a partnership of organizations and individuals dedicated to enhancing the communities and landscapes of central Illinois through recognition and support of their significant natural, cultural, and historical legacies. Few individuals have so profoundly influenced American history as did Abraham Lincoln. Millions around the world are inspired by the story of Lincoln’s rise from humble beginnings to President of the United States, his qualities of integrity and courage and his decisive leadership – traits that carried a fragile nation through one of its most trying periods. For more information about the Looking for Lincoln Heritage Coalition and the Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area, go to www.lookingforlincoln.org.

ABOUT HANSON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Hanson Professional Services Inc. is a national, employee-owned consulting firm with a global reach. Established in 1954, Hanson provides multidiscipline services to clients from six markets: railway, infrastructure, aviation, government, industry and power. For decades, Hanson has appeared as a Top 500 design firm in Engineering News-Record’s listing of premier U.S. design firms and has received numerous workplace and project-related awards. Hanson is proud to provide design engineering, program management and construction observation services for the $570 million Springfield Rail Improvements Project in Springfield, Illinois.

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“We think Lincoln would have been proud of the vital role railroads serve today in delivering the goods and products essential for everyday life in America,” said Liisa Stark, Vice President - Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad.

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Union Pacific Media Contact: Kristen South at 402-544-5034 or media@up.com

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Union Pacific Celebrates its 163rd Birthday with New Commemorative No. 1616 Lincoln Locomotive in President Lincoln’s Hometown

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