Sat., I went to the Amtrak sta. to get the lay of the land for the 844 event next week. From the west, I saw an engine with a blue front with an eagle. UP/MP 1982! Then I saw some yellow passenger cars. Some sort of special. From East to West: 1982, 1996, CHALLENGER, CITY OF SALINA, CHEYENNE, 1988. In the siding was 2010 and another GE.
I asked about the train. Saturday it was carrying Boy Scouts. Would the train be there on Sunday? Yes, for a UP Family Day.
So Sun., I took my mother, 84, so she could see the real engines I have. The idea was to see. I got to the sta. at 0700. After taking some pics and looking, one of the engineers was going to move the train set. He asked if we wanted to RIDE! Who would say NO to that. So we got to the doors of CHALLENGER. Mother was using a wheelchair as a walker. Crew got her and chair on board. Train went from sta to Eureka Jct, and back. At sta, crew put chair on the ground before we got off.
Do the sun angle, I went back to get better pics of 1988 (My favorite Heritage). Crew saw me. They asked if my mother was pleased about the eariler trip. I told them she was well pleased. After all the people were boarded, they asked my to make another trip. This time, I got a dome seat (Yes!).
When I got back, they invited my back for the 844.
UP impressed two people. Industry needs to look at this to see how to have a first contact positive immage.
Thanks, UP!
