Bush train rolls through Rochelle

Posted 12/13/18

Railroads have been of longstanding importance in transporting people and goods across the country. Early Friday morning a special train made its way through Rochelle on the Union Pacific tracks — the Union Pacific No. 4141 George Bush Locomotive.

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Bush train rolls through Rochelle

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ROCHELLE — Railroads have been of longstanding importance in transporting people and goods across the country. Early Friday morning a special train made its way through Rochelle on the Union Pacific tracks — the Union Pacific No. 4141 George Bush Locomotive.

According to the Union Pacific Railroad, “The George Bush 4141 locomotive is traveling to various Union Pacific facilities around our network to give employees an opportunity to see it firsthand. It was our honor and privilege to participate in President Bush’s final journey, and to provide an opportunity for Americans to participate in that experience. While there may be future public displays, none are planned at this time out of respect for the late president and his family.”

United States presidents, beginning with Abraham Lincoln, have recognized that railroads were vital to America’s growth, and their policies helped ensure that railroads served communities across the nation. The railroads carried coal and cows, cotton and cantaloupe. They also carried presidents, and their messages, to the American people.

George H.W. Bush

According to the Union Pacific Railroad, in September 1992, and again in October, George H.W. Bush took two campaign trips by rail totaling five days across six states – the most extensive presidential campaign trip since 1964 and the longest rail trip for an incumbent president since Truman.

By 1992, only a handful of premium rail passenger cars were still in existence, including those loaned by Union Pacific for President Bush’s train: the Selma, Walter Dean, City of Portland, Challenger, Overland, City of Los Angeles, Sunshine Special, Portland Rose, Texas Eagle, and City of Salina. Security kept crowds away from the tracks, to the disappointment of the president. 

He said of his trip, “I love the American people, and this train trip is fantastic. You get outside of that Beltway, you take your case to genuine Americans.” 

The Union Pacific No. 4141 George Bush Locomotive was unveiled Oct. 18, 2005, during a ceremony near the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas. This marked only the sixth time that Union Pacific painted a locomotive in colors other than the traditional UP “Armour Yellow” paint. 

The custom-painted locomotive incorporates the colors of the Air Force One used during Mr. Bush’s presidency and symbolizes national pride and strength. It bears the number 4141 in honor of the 41st president. The locomotive’s rear panel features elements from Air Force One’s wings and tail, including the American flag and sweeping lines of forward motion representing progress. 

Since production, the U.P. No. 4141 George Bush Locomotive has delivered shipments across all 23 states served by Union Pacific. The powerful locomotive continues to lead the way today, a fitting tribute to celebrate President Bush’s lifelong service to the country. 

ABOUT THE UP NO. 4141 

The SD70ACe locomotive measures 15 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 420,000 pounds with a full tank of diesel fuel. Its fuel tank holds 4,900 gallons of diesel. The UP No. 4141 is equipped with a 4,300 horsepower engine and can travel up to 70 miles per hour.