I Am UP: Nathan McKinney and Shaun Bateman

Written by Union Pacific, Corporate Communications

Union Pacific celebrated the “We Are ONE” commemorative locomotive’s unveiling on Juneteenth (June 19, 2021) in Houston, Tex.

Most locomotives departing Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Ark., fit a mold: polished, armor-yellow titans ready to haul freight across Union Pacific’s 23-state network. But there are others. Here’s the story of two carmen who paint complex commemoratives like the UP No. 1979 We Are ONE Employee Resource Group (ERG) Locomotive.

On extraordinary occasions, ardent rail fans and industry veterans alike can catch a glimpse of these gleaming UP commemorative locomotives that tell a story of the railroad’s past or present. That story is painted on specialized locomotive masterpieces by one craft: Mechanical carmen.

Left: Lead Carman Shaun Bateman discusses plans for UP No. 1979 as it’s being painted at Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Ark. Right: Manager-Locomotive Maintenance Nathan McKinney stands before UP No. 1979 midway through the paint process. (Captions and Photographs: Courtesy of UP)

Two of these carmen, 22-year railroader Nathan McKinney and 16-year railroader Shaun Bateman, worked as a team to paint the complex UP No. 1979 We Are ONE Employee Resource Group (ERG) Locomotive, one of many collaborations they’ve mastered over the past 16 years.

***McKinney peels locomotive painters tape from UP No. 1979, with Bateman assisting from above. (Caption and Photograph: Courtesy of UP)***

McKinney Makes His Mark

Nathan McKinney, Manager-Locomotive Maintenance, Mechanical, started his railroad career in the train yard, working on RIP tracks before becoming a carman and painter at Jenks. He followed the example of his father, a Missouri Pacific carman in Texas, and after the railroad merger, a UP boilerman at Jenks.

If his father was still working on the railroad, the younger McKinney would take home the title of “boss”—at least at work, as he now leads the Jenks group where his father wrapped up his railroad career.

Jenks Locomotive Shop Mechanical employees, from left: Nathan McKinney, Manager-Locomotive Maintenance; Mark Smith, General Director-Locomotive Operations; Dana Swanson, Senior Director-System Locomotive Facility; and Shaun Bateman, Lead Carman. (Caption and Photograph: Courtesy of UP)

For McKinney, interacting with co-workers is the best part of the job.

“The back and forth, never knowing what someone might say keeps you on your toes,” McKinney said.

UP’s special commissions also keep the paint shed fresh, as commemorative locomotives require a little more oomph: a more in-depth sandblast, a little extra body work, hours of sanding to remove rough panels, and attention-required detail-oriented painting, topped off with clear coat to protect the final product.

The most complex aspect of the We Are ONE:

“Have you seen it?” McKinney said. “All the tape lines and different colors, plus using a dual-action sander for three weeks straight.”

This isn’t McKinney’s first special project. He also worked on UP No. 1111 Employee Pride Locomotive and UP No. 4141 President George H.W. Bush Commemorative Locomotive.

“George H.W. Bush’s locomotive may be my favorite so far due to the extensive touch-up we did to prepare it for his Presidential Library at Texas A&M,” McKinney said.

UP No. 1979 recently toured the country, visiting UP yards across the system.

“It’s cool knowing people across the country will see it,” McKinney said. “I hope all who see this locomotive, and the other special projects we’ve worked on, can appreciate the hard work involved. I hope we continue to paint more in the future.”

***Lead Carman Shaun Bateman applies the UP shield to the front of UP No. 1979 at Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock, Ark. (Caption and Photograph: Courtesy of UP)***

Bateman Carefully Prepares

Shaun Bateman, Lead Carman, Mechanical, knows a thing or 50 about UP’s commemorative locomotives. He also aided in the creation of UP No. 2010 Boy Scouts of America Locomotive, UP No. 7400 Pink Ribbon Locomotive, UP No. 1111 Employee Pride Locomotive and UP No. 4141 President George H.W. Bush Commemorative Locomotive.

“There’s a strong sense of pride completing these special locomotives, as every part of the process is unique,” Bateman said. “So much knowledge is required to do my job.”

Elbow grease and power tools also help.

“The time spent prepping is extensively longer,” Bateman said. “We complete more bodywork and carefully layout the graphics, making sure they are correct. The painting process is slowed way down as we take a flat 2D drawing and bring it to life on a 3D object.”

Bateman started his railroad career in the train yard, working on RIP tracks before finding his way to Jenks. For him, UP was a logical career choice as many of his family members have worked on the railroad.

“I have family all over the country, and I’ll be able to tell them ‘I was one of two people who painted it,’” Bateman said. “I’m very proud of this project.”

Bateman helped source paint, prepare the locomotive, and painstakingly apply paint and decals.