CSX ‘Spirit of our Law Enforcement’ Locomotive Travels Through Area

December 27, 2022

CSX Transportation’s “Spirit of our Law Enforcement” commemorative locomotive passed through the local area recently.

It was named to honor the nation’s police officers who dedicate their lives to serve their communities. It is part of a collection of Pride in Service locomotives launched in 2019 to honor those that serve, including law enforcement, first responders and the armed forces.

The locomotive was recently spotted by first responders at the James Road crossing in Nokomis, Alabama, just north of the Alabama-Florida state line.

“We had just finished responding to a medical emergency when we spotted this CSX tribute engine with a coal train,” Nokomis Fire Rescue Captain Jerry Gehman said. He and fellow firefighters Chief Tommy Pickern, Lt. Frisco Gehman, medic Danny Lowery, firefighters Brad Adams, Robert Grissett, Hannah Miliken, and Hunter Miliken stopped to pose for photos with the Spirit of Law Enforcement.

CSXT 3194 is painted primarily in black, blue and white, with the slogans “To Protect and Serve” and “Honoring Our Law Enforcement.” It also prominently features the CSX Transportation Railroad Police logo, as well as police, fire and emergency responder logos.

“The locomotives will remind everyone who sees them of the daily sacrifices made by the individuals who serve our nation and our communities, along with their families,” CSX said.

Photos by Jerry Gehman for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

2 Responses to “CSX ‘Spirit of our Law Enforcement’ Locomotive Travels Through Area”

  1. Amanda Huginkiss on December 27th, 2022 9:08 am

    Many people don’t know that Class 1 Railroads have their own police department. These men and women protect railroad infrastructure, employees and the public at large. Their training is second to none. Grappling, MMA, jujitsu and most importantly, judo chopping, are among the many hand to hand skills they master. Many are retired or prior military snipers and special forces.
    Once, I witnessed burglars attempt to unload a boxcar of motorcycle doors. A RR agent parachuted in using the HAHO technique. (Most people have heard of HALO. HAHO is a bit different). Anyway the agent parachuted into nearby brush. Then, proceeded to judo chop burglars once on their shoulder. They were firing at him from all sides. Luckily, they were using stainless Mini14s with their stocks folded. All they hit were some flower pots and one old Chevy that exploded, sending two burglars through the air. (They landed safely, but unconscious after that.)
    After the burglars were all subdued or unconscious, the same agent helped me with a difficult calculus problem that I was working on.
    May the spirit of Ernest Borgnine bless them all.

  2. Jeb on December 27th, 2022 8:06 am

    I’ve had that engine on my train a couple of times and I love the reaction it gets. The number 911 is a first responder engine painted red and the 1776 is a support our troops locomotive painted digital camouflage. They are all pretty cool.