08/25/2026
The America 250 locomotive series is more than eye-catching artwork. It's a testament to the craftsmanship, planning, and high-performance coatings that help bring these rolling tributes to life.
As part of Genesee & Wyoming Inc.'s America 250 initiative, Southern Pride Equipment Painting refinished all five commemorative locomotives: Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, the Jupiter Locomotive, and the Bald Eagle. Each design celebrates a unique chapter
of American history while showcasing the skill and dedication required to
transform complex artwork into rolling works of art.
Using the PPG Versolon® system, known for its robustness, efficiency and easy of use, the team began with CRE-321 Corrosion Resistant Epoxy Primer. It was then followed by custom-tinted AUE-370 DTM High Solids Polyurethane in patriotic red, white, and blue, and finished with AUE-40 OEM Clearcoat for lasting durability and appearance.
According to Southern Pride's Devin Frazier, the Mount Rushmore locomotive alone required approximately 250 labor hours, plus extensive time transforming artwork into paint masks before the first coat was ever applied.
"I believe we have some of the best teams in the industry," said Frazier. "From my distributor, Single Source, to our design team and paint crew, everything we do is handled in-house. The design team takes artwork and transforms it into a mask to be painted on, and then our paint crew makes it a reality."
With more than 3,000 locomotives, passenger cars, and rail assets completed over the years, Southern Pride continues to demonstrate how skilled craftsmanship and proven coating systems can work together to create projects built to stand out and built to last.
📸 Photos courtesy of Steel Wheels Photography Transportation and PR Photography
