Here in my hometown, Butler, WI, we were named “TRAIN TOWN USA” by the Union Pacific Railroad!
http://www.jsonline.com/news/w…5s975-160082365.html
Thanks! U.P.
Maybe they’re naming one town in each state they traverse – last month they named Benson, Arizona, as something sounding very similar.
Any town along the UP could apply for “Train Town” status. The first one named was Rochelle (Illinois). In Illinois alone, Rochelle has been joined by Elmhurst, Lombard, Glen Ellyn, and West Chicago–and those are just the ones I know about.
The municipality seeking recognition has to apply to the railroad for it.
In the case of Lombard, the local historical society, on behalf of the Village, asked me to do the write-up. I’m either the local hero or the local goat now. So far, the village has posted about a half-dozen “Train Town” signs (supplied by the railroad) on various light poles around the downtown (the logo appears along the right side of the accompanying release). I believe banners were also mentioned as a possibility.
http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/releases/community/2012/train-towns/0503_lombard.shtml
While the UP Centennial makes an appearance on business trains now and then, it has been a long time since Union Pacific brought either of its steam locomotives to Butler and maybe this signals a possibility that they will return. Chicago & North Western brought the 4-6-0 No. 1385 to Butler more than once for Butler’s railroad celebrations years ago. They had train rides both north and south of the yard – rare milage opportunities.
While I understand the reasoning, it is sad that when they replaced the Hampton Avenue bridge over Butler Yard, they installed chain link “suicide” fencing that basically destroyed the bridge as a photo and railfanning location. It was a nice situation back before the fencing, since you would railfan the bridge, stroll over for good food at the nearby Butler Inn, and walk a bit further to a decently stocked hobby shop, Summerfelds. The hobby shop and Butler Inn are still there, but now there is less reason to visit for the railfan photographer.
Dave Nelson
Dave, do you remember the original steel trestle bridge that went across the yards?
I can remember walking across that thing and the boards were all busted apart and/or missing!
Looking down while a diesel blew black smoke up through the boards and into your face.
My dad has a movie somewhere, he shot of the roundhouse going up in flames, or what was left of the roundhouse back in the mid to late fifties! Black smoke billowing into the air of all the oil soak wood that was burning!
The good old days!