Drama, glamour and color!

A brief quotation from Mr. R. B. Lyman of the International Forwarding Company in the November 1946 Trains says it as it still is today, 73 years later. He says the easiest way to get freight away from his competitors was to dramatize his business; and "throw an aura of glamour and color around the railroads."

This Union Pacific has done, in spades. This weekend, the railroad has parked its newly restored Big Boy 4-8-8-4 steam locomotive in West Chicago IL. This is the world's largest operating steam locomotive, returned to operating condition after several decades as a museum piece.

The video at right captures the crowds that turned out to see this magnificent machine in West Chicago. My son, Robin Turek, was there to get even more video, but I am unable to capture it from Facebook to post here.

Instead, here's a link to Robin's page.

If even one of UP's potential freight customers saw this spectacular display, I am positive that UP is ahead. I am equally sure that more than one has seen it on the train's midwest tour through Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin... with more to come. The money, time and materials UP spends to keep this and two other working examples of the best of steam railroad power pay it back with dividends that are hard to quantize but were expressed 73 years ago by Mr. Lyman.

I would love it if most 21st-century corporations spent as much time and money on color and drama as they do on squeezing every last nickel to the bottom line for faceless investment funds. Most, unfortunately shun the general public. Even retailers who want the public in their stores don't give tours of their warehousing or distribution facilities any more. Amazon? Please take note!

With this effort, I give UP a pat on the back and a sincere wish that they get a return on their investment, no just of dollars, but of public good will and faith. Glamour! Color! Drama! ©2019 C. A. Turek - mistertrains@gmail.com