On this Independence day of 2015, locomotive 98 pulls a train of passengers through the Red Clay Valley in route to Hockessin Delaware for the annual Fireworks display. The locomotive is decked out in Red White and Blue to celebrate the nations Birthday. However believe it or not this is a throwback scheme.
In the early 1900's, The Mississippi Central Railroad (From which locomotive 98 is from.) would hold a special train on the 4th of July. The train took Employees and the families of those employees to the banks of the Pearl River at Wanilla, Mississippi. The locomotives pulling this train were decorated in red, white and blue to celebrate the holiday.
In 1920 the Hattiesburg American newspaper reported that the locomotive pulling the train sported the traditional red, white and blue, but was also featuring a gilded horseshoe and a star on the front.
Now fast forward to 2015 and the engine crew has teamed up and attempted to recreate this scheme for passengers riding the train this year.
