A very special locomotive paying honor to a special group of Americans will be making a stop in Van Buren on Wednesday.
The “Spirit of America” especially designed to pay tribute to the armed services of our nation will be on display from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. near the Simmons Food plant in downtown Van Buren
The Van Buren stop will be one of only two in the state as the train is scheduled to spend Monday in North Little Rock.
Union Pacific’s Locomotive No. 1943, The Spirit, is the 16th commemorative locomotive introduced in the 155-year-old company’s history.
The Spirit honors the United States’ armed forces and the men and women filling their ranks.
Created in collaboration with Union Pacific veterans, the locomotive illustrates the railroad’s connection to the thousands of veterans who helped build America through the centuries.
Every detail in The Spirit’s trade dress incorporates a piece of each U.S. armed forces branch.
The Spirit’s front is symbolic of Air Force Silver, and the blue stripe is a reflection of the former Strategic Air Command’s “nose sash.”
The lettering inside the sash is the original handdrawn font used on the B-17.
It is followed by the Coast Guard’s “Racing Stripe” and the Navy’s Battleship Gray, which frames Union Pacific’s traditional American flag. The military camouflage is a nod to the Army and Marines.
As the train passes by, the final message on the tail is dedicated to U.S. prisoners of war and those missing in action, featuring the POW/MIA symbol and its motto, You Are Not Forgotten.
Union Pacific’s Locomotive No. 1943, The Spirit, is the 16th commemorative locomotive introduced in the 155-year-old company’s history.
The Spirit honors the United States’ armed forces and the men and women filling their ranks. Created in collaboration with Union Pacific veterans, the locomotive illustrates the railroad’s connection to the thousands of veterans who helped build America through the centuries.
North Little Rock
October 24, 2017
Union Pacific Office, 1000 W. 4th St.
Public Event: 10:00 a.m.
Display: 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Van Buren
October 25, 2017
Union Pacific Depot, 620 S. 13th St.
Public Event: 10:00 a.m.
Display: 10:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
