Downtown in Roanoke, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Norfolk & Western EMD SD45 #1776
Manufacturer: General Motors Electro-Motive Division
Quantity: 1,260
Length: 65 feet 8 inches
Weight: 402,256 pounds (lbs.)
Power: Diesel-Electric
Horsepower: 3,600
Speed:
65 miles per hour (mph)
Tractive effort (starting): 92,000 pounds
Wheel diameter: 40 inches
Trucks: 6-Wheel
Built in 1970, the 1776 was one of 115 SD45s purchased by the Norfolk & Western (N&W) Railway. It was delivered in the "Pevler Blue" paint scheme, named for N&W president Herman Pevler.
In honor of the 200th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the 1776 was painted red, white, and blue. This patriotic color scheme adorned the engine from 1974-1978 as it headed trains across the N&W system.
The engine was painted black in 1978 and continued in service until 1988. In 2011, as part of the Museum's collection, the engine was voted a People's Choice Award Winner in the Virginia Association of Museums' Top Ten Endangered artifacts competition as well as the winner of Trains Magazine's annual $10,000 rail project award. Its cosmetic restoration was completed in 2012 in the Norfolk Southern Shops in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Erected by Virginia Museum of
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.
Location. 37° 16.395′ N, 79° 56.793′ W. Marker is in Roanoke, Virginia. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of Norfolk Avenue Southwest and 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling west on Norfolk Avenue Southwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 303 Norfolk Ave SW, Roanoke VA 24016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Depressed Center Flatcar APWX #1002 (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western ALCO C630 Diesel-Electric #1135 (a few steps from this marker); Chesapeake Western DS-4-4-660 #662 (a few steps from this marker); Virginia Central Porter Rod Driven Locomotive #3 (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western ALCO RS-3 Diesel Electric #300 (a few steps from this marker); Trailer Train Flatcar #470534 and Sea-Land Containers (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk & Western EMD GP9 #521 (a few steps from this marker); Norfolk Southern Research Car #31 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Roanoke.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 411 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 30, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
