Canadian Pacific honours Canadian and U.S. military with unique locomotives

Canadian Pacific (CP) Railway unveiled five specially painted locomotives on Remembrance Day. The trains honour the history and culture of the armed forces.

The Electro-Motive Diesel SD70ACUs carry the message of military pride across CP’s transcontinental railway in the U.S. and Canada. The railway has direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts.

CP President, CEO, and veteran Keith Creel said, “As a leading employer of veterans, CP is proud to commemorate military machines and the brave men and women who’ve operated them in conflicts around the world.”

He added, “As these locomotives pass through communities across the CP system, I hope those who see them will reflect on the sacrifices made by so many of their countrymen to protect and defend their freedom.”

The paint colours and patterns chosen were carefully selected to match the different military branches of both the Canadian and U.S. militaries and reflect the colours applied to their tanks, planes, and warships. Five liveries were created for the locomotives with this research in mind:

• CP 7020 is painted in North Atlantic Treaty Organization green. The paint is the same colour Canadian, and U.S. armies apply to fighting vehicles and equipment used in temperate climates.

• CP 7021 is painted a sand colour, one that the Canadian and U.S. armies apply to fighting vehicles and equipment used in arid climates.

• CP 7022 is painted in grey, red, and black colour pattern of Canadian and American warships.

• CP 7023 is painted in a two-tone grey paint scheme that are used on Canadian and American fighter jets.
• CP 6644 is painted the camouflage colours that were applied to Royal Canadian Air Force “Spitfire” fighter planes, flown at the Allied invasion of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944.

Four locomotives bear a Canadian flag on one side and American on the other, which is reflective of the fact that CP operates in both countries and employs veterans of both military services.

CP Senior Vice-President Engineering, Mechanical, and Procurement, and veteran Scott MacDonald said, “We are proud to support our veterans and the invaluable skill and experience that they have gained serving their country. These locomotives are a symbol of our support. They will operate in regular service and further support our commitment as a proud employer of veterans in Canada and the United States.”

Recently CP was awarded a Gold Top 10 Military Friendly Employer designation by Victory Media.

This past October, CP joined Homes for Heroes and other stakeholders for the grand opening of the ATCO Veterans Village in Calgary, a community of tiny homes aimed at getting homeless veterans off the street. Through its Spin for a Veteran program, CP has helped raise more than $800,000 for the cause.