For me, the highlight of the Rochelle, Ill., Railroad Park’s Railroad Days last weekend wasn’t the bounty of trains that the Union Pacific and BNSF Railway sent parading by on that rainy and muggy Saturday.
It wasn’t in the goofy watermelon seed spitting contest either that attracted more folks than I’d expected it would.
It wasn’t at Union Pacific’s display of heritage units, but it was right next door to them in UP’s newly painted C45ACCTE No. 2010, the recently released six-axle GE that commemorates the centennial of the Boy Scouts of America.
Yes, despite it being parked next to the Chicago & North Western and Katy heritage units, the 2010 stole the show for one simple reason. It’s got relevancy to people who will just come to see it because of their connection to the Boy Scouts.
Case in point: Corey Ifert of Shannon, Ill., who brought sons Justin and Matthew in full scouting uniforms to inspect the big GE sitting there with no place to go.
“The boys love trains,” he said. “So they had to see this one.” I love it anytime a big railroad figures out a way to connect to the public. Bravo, UP for those heritage units. They keep me smiling every time they show up, but here’s an even bigger salute for the Boy Scout engine... It is a grand slam for railroad public relations!
Corey Ifert and sons Matthew and Justin pose with UP No. 2010 at Rochelle, Ill., on June 5, 2010. Jim Wrinn photo
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