HO ATH SD40-2 Locomotive, WLE #1776

Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway Company operates a fleet of SD40-2 locomotives over their 840-mile long system. Recently they painted one unit into a special scheme to commemorate the nation’s upcoming celebration of 250 years of independence. According to their Facebook page, “This one-of-a-kind unit was designed entirely in-house, drawing inspiration from the iconic Norfolk & Western bicentennial locomotive of 1976. But this is no replica — it features a bold Wheeling twist, including chevron striping and our signature flying letters. Every detail of the paint job was carefully considered and expertly applied, resulting in one of the most striking finishes on our roster. Shop personnel spent countless hours sanding and buffing the clearcoat to eliminate any blemishes, also adding a polished brass bell, vintage “raised letter” number boards, and a restored Leslie air horn, bringing back an audio-visual aesthetic largely vanished from the modern railroad scene.”