✨Illinois Terminal leads a MASSIVE intermodal through Wheelersburg, Ohio

Captured on June 11, 2026 in Wheelersburg, Ohio. NS 1072 (Illinois Terminal), 7606 & 4573 (DPU) The Norfolk Southern 1072 is a special "Heritage Unit" commissioned in 2012 to celebrate the company's 30th anniversary. Built on the Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD) SD70ACe platform, this locomotive pays homage to the Illinois Terminal Railroad, a predecessor line that was absorbed by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1981 before it ultimately became part of Norfolk Southern. Affectionately known by railfans as the "Green Machine," the NS 1072 sports a striking bright green body with a yellow frame stripe, yellow and red nose chevrons, and the classic Illinois Terminal logo, mirroring the mid-century diesel freight paint scheme of the original railroad. Constructed at EMD's facility in Muncie, Indiana, the locomotive is specifically designed for heavy-haul freight operations. It is powered by an EMD 16-cylinder 710G3C-T2 prime mover that generates 4,300 horsepower. Equipped with an AC traction system and six HTCR-II self-steering radial trucks, the unit produces a starting tractive effort of 191,000 pounds and can reach a top speed of 70 mph. The massive machine measures just over 74 feet in length, weighs approximately 408,000 pounds, and holds up to 4,900 gallons of diesel fuel. Despite its commemorative design, the NS 1072 is not a museum piece; it is a fully functional locomotive operating in regular, systemwide revenue service. It can frequently be seen leading mixed freight, intermodal, and unit trains across the entire Norfolk Southern network. Because of its vibrant, historic appearance, it remains a highly prized catch for train enthusiasts and photographers nationwide. Norfolk Southern 7606 and *Norfolk Southern 4573* represent two different eras and approaches within the railroad's modern motive power fleet. NS 7606 is a General Electric (GE) ES40DC locomotive built in July 2006. Originally designed as part of GE's Evolution Series with DC traction motors, these units typically produce 4,000 horsepower, though Norfolk Southern has uprated many in this class to 4,400 horsepower (effectively making them ES44DCs) to maximize their pulling capabilities. In contrast, NS 4573 is a GE AC44C6M, which is the product of a massive modernization program rather than a brand-new build. Released fresh from the rebuild shops in the spring of 2022, this locomotive started its life as an older, 1990s-era DC-traction Dash 9, but was completely stripped down and upgraded with modern AC traction motors, a brand new wide-nose cab, and updated computer control systems. Together, the reliable Evolution Series ES40DC and the comprehensively rebuilt AC44C6M highlight how Norfolk Southern balances maintaining older equipment with investing in cutting-edge AC traction upgrades to haul heavy freight across its network.