Engine 1776 prepares for its return to service after meticulous restoration, celebrating America’s legacy.
SCRANTON, Pa. — The rumble of a diesel engine carries across the Green Ridge section in Scranton as 200 tons of patriotically painted steel prepares to make its way back to the rails.
“It is very exciting. We’re very thrilled and honored to have the 1776 painted and back on its home turf. The DNH ran this line for many years,” said Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad Superintendent Lorie Ransom.
Engine 1776 has been part of the Genesee Valley Transportation Company and the Delaware-Lackawanna Railroad for over a decade.
After years of hauling heavy freight along the Pocono Line, this six-axle engine needed a little care. Just in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Honestly, it’s all the little details, the stars on the sill stripe, the two stars next to the locomotive road number, that represent Pennsylvania as the second state that was ratified into the Union,” said Delaware Lackawanna Trainmaster Tim Trudgen.
Draped in red, white, and blue, mechanics at Von Storch Locomotive Shops in Scranton, like Geoffrey Sekelsky, spent lots of time sanding and fine-tuning to get this piece of history back into service.
“Well, this took us about two months, 50 hours a week, every week,” said Sekelsky.
The hard work will help keep an industry chugging along in northeastern Pennsylvania and keep a piece of American locomotive history out on the tracks.
“This is what I pretty much live for, is to do stuff like this every day,” said Sekelsky.
“Really cool to be a part of something like this that shows the pride of America and will live on,” said Trudgen. “Have a lot of longevity in displaying that for many, many years to come, thanks to our team.”
Engine 1776 is expected to be put back in service later this week.