I didn’t realize this, but back in 1984 SP painted a SD40 in a special Olympics scheme, since the Olympics where held here in the states in Los Angeles. IIRC, UP painted a SD70M to commemorate the winter 2002 Olympics. What about the 1996 Olympics? Did any railroad have a special scheme for that one? Chicago is one of the contenders for the 2016 Olympics, so maybe UP or BNSF will have a special scheme by the time 2016 rolls around, if Chicago is selected that is. Otherwise it’ll be in Brazil.
(see avatar) caught in Oakland in 1985 [;)] I also have an HO model of this unit thanks to fellow forum member zgardner
Yes, the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta was commemorated on a locomotive by Union Pacific. From the UP site:
Previously, locomotives were custom painted in 1991 to honor UP employees serving in the Persian Gulf War, in 1994 to call attention to the United Way Campaign, in 1996 for the Atlanta Games Olympic Torch Relay Train, and in 2002 for the Salt Lake City Games Olympic Torch Relay Train.
I’ve scoured for a picture but Union Pacific repainted the units in November 1996, only a few months after the relay. Obviously, there’s not a lot of pictures, at least not in digital format as this was just before the digital revolution.
Hold it! Found one!
Ask Google enough times…eventually you will find Nessie, Jimmy Hoffa, and the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay Train. [:D]