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2002 Olympic Torch Relay

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

Color Kinetics became a part of Olympic history when its intelligent LED lighting systems colorfully lit the journey of the 2002 Olympic Torch.

Union Pacific Railroad operated a 19-car passenger train through 11 states in 65 days - a 3,200-mile trek that required the most rugged and reliable equipment onboard. Color Kinetics' LED lighting systems proved to be the ideal choice to add dynamic lighting effects to the train's centerpiece -- a car featuring the 40-inch diameter cauldron with a custom-designed burner to sustain the Olympic Flame. ColorBlast® light fixtures were used to paint a symbolic athlete figure with subtly shifting shades of blue, while iColor® Fresco linear systems created a glowing flame effect. The compact, robust systems performed without flaw in spite of the forces exerted on the 70-mph train. Both ColorBlast and iColor Fresco are rated for outdoor use.

According to lighting designer Kyle G. Pearson, "Union Pacific wanted to introduce some movement and color for visual impact, and I knew that Color Kinetics' systems would be the most 'bulletproof' option. In comparison to all the halogen lamps that had to be replaced over the course of the relay, the Color Kinetics units worked without a hitch."

"We were very pleased with the performance of the Color Kinetics products," said Brenda Mainwaring, Director, Corporate Relations, Union Pacific Railroad. "I don't imagine they were designed with high-speed rail travel in mind, but they stood up to the formidable test and performed admirably. Congratulations on an excellent project."