R&N Releases Second Semiquincentennial Unit – Railfan & Railroad Magazine
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Reading & Northern Railroad GP38-2 2026 poses at Port Clinton, Pa., on June 26, 2026, just two days out of the paint shop. Photo by Michael T. Burkhart.
Reading & Northern Railroad released its second semiquincentennial locomotive in late June – GP38-2 2026. It joins patriotic SD40-2 1776, which has been out for more than six months.
Built by EMD in October 1974 as Southern Railway 5139, Reading & Northern acquired it in 2017 from Norfolk Southern and initially renumbered it 2010.
R&N graphic artist Jamie Makin created the new design, borrowing heavily from the scheme adorning 40th anniversary GP38-2 2023. It was painted in-house at West Cresona, Pa., and will be paired with 1776 on a July 2 round trip from Nesquehoning to Reading, Pa., the railroad said.
—Michael T. Burkhart
This article was posted on: June 29, 2026
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