Two custom-painted locomotives decked out in red, white and blue will roll through four Michigan communities next week as Canadian National Railway brings its America250 Hometown Whistle Stop Tour to East Lansing, Durand, Royal Oak and Flat Rock. The trains, named Screaming Eagle and Air Force One, are touring the country ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday next year, with stops offering free photo opportunities, community events and a chance to meet CN’s canine mascot, Milo.
The Michigan leg runs next Tuesday through next Wednesday, according to the Detroit Free Press. Screaming Eagle and Air Force One are scheduled to arrive at the East Lansing Amtrak station at 3:25 p.m. next Tuesday, then reach the Durand Amtrak station at 8:40 a.m. next Wednesday before rolling by the Royal Oak Amtrak station later that morning and arriving at Flat Rock’s Huroc Park at 12:35 p.m. next Wednesday. CN recommends showing up at least 30 minutes ahead of each scheduled arrival time.
Unlike the other three stops, Royal Oak will not host a full event — it’s strictly a roll-by opportunity for photos as the trains pass through between the Durand and Flat Rock stops. The East Lansing, Durand and Flat Rock stops, by contrast, will each run about 90 minutes and include speeches from CN executives, appearances by Milo, media availability and locomotive photo opportunities, along with programming explaining CN’s history and the broader importance of railroads in Michigan.
The Trains Themselves
The two locomotives were unveiled by CN in March 2026, according to specifications reported by Trains Magazine, which identifies them as General Electric ES44AC diesel-electric units. Air Force One features a red, white, and blue pattern with gold highlights reminiscent of a presidential aircraft, while Screaming Eagle carries a large bald eagle painted near the pilot in front of an American flag, per the Free Press…