Union Pacific Locomotive, “The Katy” Part of Larger Heritage Fleet
Katy, Texas News (May 2, 2017) – Katy families may have seen and taken photos with the brightly-painted locomotive on the railroad tracks in Historic Katy. What Katyites may not know is that the train is more than a great photo op. The #1988 SD70ACe locomotive is part of a larger, Presidential Heritage fleet from Union Pacific that pays tribute to the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railroad, and the historical significance it plays in American history.
Other locomotives in the fleet include:
- UP Western Pacific, #1996
- UP Southern Pacific, #1983
- UP Denver & Rio Grand Western Railroad, #1989
- UP Missouri Pacific Railroad, #1982
- UP Chicago & North Western Railroad, #1995
“Union Pacific has introduced the latest addition to its Heritage Series locomotives – the Katy locomotive. Incorporating historic colors and graphic elements of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, the new locomotive pays tribute to the men and women of the Katy.
“Our reputation as America’s greatest railroad has been strengthened by the many lines that are now a part of the UP,” said Dick Davidson, chairman and CEO. “The creation of our Heritage Series is just one way we can pay homage to those railroads and the generations of men and women who helped to build a great nation and the foundation for our future.”
The Katy Heritage Series locomotive joins the Missouri Pacific and Western Pacific locomotives unveiled in July. Three more Heritage Series locomotives, the Chicago & North Western, Southern Pacific, and Denver & Rio Grande, will be introduced in 2006. All honor the people and the railroads that have made Union Pacific what it is today.
The Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad, affectionately referred to as the Katy, was created in 1865. By the time it joined Union Pacific in 1988, the Katy served six midwestern states with more than 3,377 miles of track. It was an important north-south link between the Midwest and Texas, especially for the growing coal business. The Katy had primary operating centers in Denison, Texas; Bellmead, Texas; and Parsons, Kan.; and was headquartered in Dallas.
The new Katy Heritage Series locomotive is numbered 1988 to reflect the year its namesake joined Union Pacific, and the locomotive will initially operate within territory served by the Katy.
The Heritage Series marks the fifth time in company history that Union Pacific has painted locomotives in colors other than the traditional UP “Armour Yellow” paint scheme. Previously, locomotives were custom painted in 1991 to honor UP employees serving in the Persian Gulf War, in 1994 to call attention to the United Way Campaign, in 1996 for the Atlanta Games Olympic Torch Relay Train, and in 2002 for the Salt Lake City Games Olympic Torch Relay Train.
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America’s premier rail franchise.”
Courtesy of Union Pacific
