North Shore unveils US semiquincentennial locomotive
NSHR 2238, the North Shore Railroad Company’s hand-painted Semiquincentennial locomotive, has debuted in Northumberland as a rolling mural tied to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
The locomotive’s artwork is designed to honor Revolutionary War history and to mark the national semiquincentennial milestone. For working drivers who spend long hours moving freight through rail corridors and industrial towns, it’s a visible reminder of how transportation equipment is sometimes used as public-facing signage and community messaging—not just power on the rails.
The unveiling also fits into a larger framework of planned 250th anniversary activity. The Orange County Semiquincentennial Commission was created in 2019, and in June 2021 the New York State 250th Commemoration Act established a statewide commission tasked with overseeing semiquincentennial celebrations at the state level.
With those commissions in place, projects like NSHR 2238 show how commemorations are being carried into everyday public spaces, including transportation networks, as the country approaches the 250-year mark.