Union Pacific Railroad officially unveiled its commemorative Lincoln Locomotive, No. 1616, on April 30 to a standing-room-only crowd at the Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Arkansas.
“President Lincoln” was on hand to surprise the crowd and unveil the locomotive designed in his honor.
Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge and her daughter took the opportunity to climb into the cab of the Lincoln Locomotive
Union Pacific and community leaders attended the unveiling, including from right, Kenny Rocker, executive vice president-Marketing and Sales, Union Pacific; CEO Jim Vena, Union Pacific; North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick; Kelly Overfelt, director-Transload, Loup Logistics; Jeremy Givens, vice president-Mechanical, Union Pacific; and Rebecca Gregory, vice president-Administration and Chief of Staff, Union Pacific.
The engine honors President Abraham Lincoln — freight rail’s original visionary — who signed the Pacific Railway Act in 1862, setting the stage for the nation’s first transcontinental railroad and the creation of Union Pacific.
More than 150 employees, dignitaries and community members gathered for the celebration, reflecting on Lincoln’s enduring influence in uniting the country through rail.
“Trains were the innovation,” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, referring to Lincoln’s bold reimagining of what a connected America could look like. “The president had the foresight to see how important it was for us to settle the country and have people being able to move and goods move — and that's what it's all about, so we're here to celebrate that today.”
Vena also recognized Jenks employees for painting No. 1616 in Lincoln-era colors, inspired by the historic No. 119 engine, one of the two locomotives that marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869 at Promontory Summit, Utah.
Arkansas Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge, one of several officials in attendance, praised Lincoln’s transformative vision: “As we unveil the No. 1616 Lincoln Locomotive, we honor that vision — that dream of a strong, united America.”
North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick applauded Union Pacific’s economic impact on the region, noting generations of families who have made a living working on the railroad.
“We can’t say enough about Union Pacific,” Hartwick said. “With me being the mayor of North Little Rock, I do thank y’all for everything you do all day long.”
Community partners including the University of Arkansas–Pulaski Technical College, Be Pro Be Proud, and the George & Barbara Bush Foundation were also on hand to show support.
Lincoln Presidential Foundation Chairman Emeritus Sergio “Satch” Pecori, a veteran railroader, called No. 1616 “an impressive tribute to our nation's 16th president,” adding, “This locomotive does more than honor the president. It honors a vision of America that still moves us forward.”
The ceremony concluded with a ceremonial christening of No. 1616 and a surprise appearance by a costumed “President Lincoln,” delighting guests and reinforcing the historical significance of the moment. Media from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and the local NBC, ABC, and CBS affiliates were present to cover the event.
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No. 1616 will now serve as a moving ambassador for Union Pacific, appearing at events and communities across its 23-state rail network. Its first public appearance will be at the Oregon Rail Heritage Center in Portland on May 10 for National Train Day. Future stops will be announced on UP.com and Union Pacific’s social media channels.
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