Norfolk Southern is honoring its predecessor railroads during 2012, its 30th anniversary year, by painting 20 new locomotives in commemorative schemes that reflect the heritage of those predecessors.

Each paint scheme will be modified to fit contemporary locomotives while staying as true as possible to the original designs. Norfolk Southern employees in Altoona, Pa., and Chattanooga, Tenn., will paint GE ES44AC locomotives, while the EMD SD70ACe units will be painted at Progress Rail Services’ facility in Muncie, Ind. The heritage locomotives will be used to haul freight across Norfolk Southern’s 20,000-mile, 22-state network.

Illinois Terminal Railroad began life as the Illinois Traction System in 1896 as an interurban electric railroad in central and southern Illinois. Hit by the Great Depression, it was reorganized as the Illinois Terminal in 1937 and attempted to survive as a passenger railroad until relinquishing that business in 1956, when it was acquired by a consortium of railroads. It was operated as a freight railroad until acquired by NW in 1982.

ITC / NS Heritate SD70ACe #TBA, w/ new EMD antenna 

Factory painted, lettered, lights, ditch lights

Model Details:

• Licensing: EMD
• Model Painted: Yes
• DCC: DCC Plug N Play
• Model Lettering: Yes
• Directional Lighting: Yes
• Ditch Lights: Yes
• Motor Type: Pitmann
Couplers: Kadee #805