SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - Union Pacific, celebrating its 163rd birthday, brought its newest commemorative locomotive honoring founder President Abraham Lincoln to the state capital Tuesday.
Lincoln founded Union Pacific on July 1, 1862 when he signed the Pacific Railway Act, authorizing construction of the country's first transcontinental railroad.
Union Pacific marked Lincoln’s signing by bringing its new commemorative locomotive into downtown Springfield, parking it at the local Amtrak station.
Commemorative locomotive honors Lincoln with special 'birthday' stop in Springfield
Union Pacific will bring its newest commemorative locomotive honoring founder President Abraham Lincoln to Springfield July 1.
The event featured a short presentation, a Lincoln historian and Lincoln impersonator. The City of Springfield also received a Train Town USA designation.
The locomotive's number was 1616 in honor of Lincoln being the nation's 16th President.
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