Genesee Valley Transportation Co., Inc. and “the” Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad Co. Inc. are proud to debut the historic repaint of locomotive #1776, at the D-L’s Von Storch shop in Scranton Pennsylvania. The paint scheme, inspired by the original D&H bicentennial units #1776 and #1976, was designed to honor and celebrate the upcoming semi quincentennial of the United States of America.
It is fitting that the original D&H bicentennial units could be found operating over former Delaware & Hudson trackage which is now owned by the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Rail Authority and operated by “the” Delaware -Lackawanna Railroad. “The” D&H was one of the oldest continuously operated transportation companies dating it’s roots to “The” Delaware & Hudson Canal Company founded in 1823.
#1776, an M630 type locomotive, built to a design from the American Locomotive Co. in Schenectady NY, was previously numbered #3007 on the GVT Roster. The locomotive was purchased from General Electric, rebuilt by the D-L in the Von Storch shop, and can be seen in daily heavy haul duty on the Pocono mainline. Multiple industries in Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna and Monroe Counties rely on “the” Delaware-Lackawanna’s, friendly customized rail service to keep their supply chains running reliably and in a cost-effective manner.
Details include the locomotive number flanked by two stars signifying Pennsylvania being the second state to ratify the U.S. constitution. In addition, painstaking care was taken in painting the locomotive bell to replicate the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia.
The locomotive will play a major part in the upcoming semi quincentennial festivities taking place in Scranton, during the months of June and July. The locomotive will also be on display when the Union Pacific Big Boy visits the region in June.
-via Press Release
