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High Noon: Choo choo

Bruce Juneau checks out Union Pacific 949, an E9 streamliner locomotive, at the downtown Amtrak station on Tuesday. “I’ve always loved trains; I grew up around them,” he said, jotting down engine and car numbers and reciting facts about their histories. “I wanted to be an engineer, but medical problems forced me to stay off the rails.” (Tyler Tjomsland)
By D.F. Oliveria daveo@spokesman.com(509) 319-0354

Bruce Juneau, a train historian with the Inland Empire Railway Historical Society, checks out Union Pacific 949, an E9 streamliner locomotive, at the downtown Amtrak station on Tuesday.

About 1,500 people showed up at the Amtrak station on Tuesday to celebrate the 150th birthday of America’s largest railroad network, the Union Pacific.

The turnout included train enthusiasts, model train collectors, current and former railroad workers, and families with generations of history in the industry.

In recognition of the role Spokane has played in the growth of the rail lines, company officials awarded the city membership in Union Pacific’s new Train Town USA registry. The membership marks the city as a place of historical significance to the railroad. More here. Justin Runquist, SR

Other than the train at Silverwood and the one through Riverfront Park, I’ve never been on a train. Got any suggestions for a short train trip?

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Huckleberries Online." Read all stories from this blog