How BNSF and rail companies are celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday

This story was originally published by the Fort Worth Report. You may read https://www.fortworthreport.org/. 

by Eric E. Garcia, Fort Worth Report
May 29, 2026

A moving salute to America can be viewed on the nation’s railroad tracks.

Fort Worth-based BNSF Railway is celebrating the country’s 250th birthday with three specially decorated locomotives. The commemorative locomotives — each painted red, white and blue with stars and stripes — will travel along the railway’s 32,500-mile network for special events and freight shipments. 

The locomotives are numbered 250, 1776 and 2026 with an exclusive livery to honor the nation’s semiquincentennial birthday on July 4. The locomotive numbers recognize the nation’s birthday, the year the Declaration of Independence was adopted by the original 13 colonies, and the current year, respectively.

Katie Farmer, BNSF president and CEO, said the locomotives recognize the impact railroaders had on building America.

“For nearly two centuries, railroaders have helped shape the American story, connecting communities, powering economic growth and strengthening the nation we call home,” Farmer said in a statement. “These locomotives pay tribute not only to our country’s heritage, but also to the men and women of Team BNSF who carry that legacy forward today.”

Each locomotive was painted by Mid-America Car Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri. The decorative embellishments feature a nod to the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution with the words, “We the People.” The paintings toward the end of the locomotives include the words “freedom” and “liberty” on the sides and a tribute to the Betsy Ross flag, officials said.

Peter LeCody, president of Texas Rail Advocates, a Dallas-based nonprofit rail advocacy group, said the patriotic displays highlight the historic contributions of railroads to building the nation.

“I think it does show the railroads have been an integral part of the American fabric for centuries now,” LeCody said. “It’s certainly nice to see their representation of the 250th celebration is on display.”

Patriotic boxcars

Other rail companies are also joining the celebration.

On March 31, the Greenbrier Companies and TTX Co. introduced five new, custom-painted flag boxcars with paint donated by Williams Hayward Protective Coatings Inc. of Summit, Illinois. The boxcars were first publicly displayed at Greenbrier’s rail maintenance facility in Cleburne.

“These American flag boxcars commemorate more than 250 years of U.S. history by highlighting the innovation, operational excellence and strategic partnerships that drive North American freight rail today,” TTX CEO Tom Wells said at the Johnson County event.

Five custom-painted flag boxcars, a partnership between the Greenbrier Companies and TTX Co., were introduced March 31 at a rail maintenance facility in Cleburne. (Courtesy | Greenbrier Companies)

Wells said TTX was proud to partner with Greenbrier to “honor the enduring legacy of our industry.” 

Lorie Tekorius, Greenbrier CEO and president, said the flag boxcars will likely be viewed for decades while moving freight across the nation.

“Freight railcars can remain in service for up to 50 years, meaning this American flag boxcar will travel across America’s rail network for decades to come,” she said. “It serves as a visual reminder of the vitality of the rails as America moves toward its third century, thanks to the people who keep it running every hour of every day.”

Union Pacific Railroad, which has rail operations in Fort Worth and other parts of Texas, announced two new flag-themed locomotives, including one named for President Donald Trump. On May 25, the railroad launched an East Coast tour of a rare Big Boy steam locomotive — last seen in Fort Worth in October 2024 — for the 250th celebration.

Enduring legacy

America’s 250th birthday is an opportunity to recognize industries and workers who shaped the country, said Jen Condon, executive vice president of America250, a national nonpartisan organization created by Congress to celebrate the historic anniversary.

“BNSF’s commemorative locomotives are a powerful tribute to the role railroads have played in America’s growth and to the people who continue that legacy every day as we approach the semiquincentennial,” Condon said in a statement.

Officials said BNSF started in 1849 with the Aurora Branch Railroad in Illinois and has incorporated nearly 400 rail lines throughout its history. Historic predecessors include the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad; Great Northern Railway; Northern Pacific Railway; Spokane, Portland & Seattle Railway; and the Fort Worth and Denver Railway.

In 1995, Burlington Northern Railroad and Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway merged to become Burlington Northern Santa Fe, now called BNSF Railway. The company, the nation’s largest railroad, operates in 28 states and three Canadian provinces.

Eric E. Garcia is senior business reporter at the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at eric.garcia@fortworthreport.org.

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This article first appeared on Fort Worth Report and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Steve Young with RE/MAX 817-276-5149 steve@steveyoung.pro