SOUTH BEND — A screaming eagle landed in South Bend.
Canadian National commemorative locomotives traveling on a three-day Hometown Whistle Stop Tour to celebrate the United States 250th year of independence brought between 200 and 300 people outside Union Station.
“To CN, South Bend is a critical point on our network,” said Pat Whitehead, a South Bend native and executive vice president and CEO of Canadian National. “A strong railroad depends on strong communities, robust institutions and people committed to preparing the next generation to lead, build and serve. That is what makes this stop on our America250 hometown whistle stop tour so meaningful.”
Railfans
South Bend resident Taylor Artibani described her love for trains as “inspiring.”
She said she loves everything about trains: their size, history and efficiency. And living with the CN railway tracks near her home makes her “very happy.”
Her love for trains has put her on the career path toward railway engineering.
“I love how they brought my depression away. They are my biggest obsession now. I live with them. I volunteer with them. I’m friends with them and I want to become even more [close] with them,” Artibani said. “I have absorbed so much information that when people see me and they hear me talk about engines and how they start up, they are very impressed.”
The commemorative trains rolling into South Bend are emotional for Greta Clayes. She rode the Freedom Train for the country’s bicentennial in 1975 and 1976.
“Ross Rowland came up with the idea for the train, and he did that because he was the New York economy broker, and we had just gotten off the Vietnam War and we had just gotten off Watergate,” Clayes said. “And the only way a lot of people could see the facts of the country is if they went to Washington D.C.
“He thought it would be a good way to unite the country if we took the very best aspects of our country. … They had things everybody could relate to. And if you did that, the sight could heal the nation. And 50 years later we’re still trying to heal the nation.”
Another railfan, Franklin Julian, has been a fan of trains his entire life, beginning with Thomas the Tank Engine.
“I like the sounds they make. Whether it be the whistles, the horns, their engines or the unique chugging sounds locomotives make, especially steam engines,” Julian said. “But also, they’re obviously one of the most efficient forms of transportation that we have. And I think with more passenger trains we can cut down road traffic, make the roads more free and also, make for a healthier planet.”
Hometown Whistle Stop Tour
South Bend is the first stop for the commemorative locomotives, which are now headed to East Lansing, Durand and Flat Rock, Michigan.
“I wanted to stop in my hometown and spend some time here,” Whitehead said. “It’s a critical point for CN on our network and also a special place for me.”
Whitehead added, “We only move this train with CN employees when we’re hosting events. We’re very proud of this fleet. … We get out on our network, and we spend time in the communities on this train for events like this and others.”
As South Bend celebrates 161 years as a city, Mayor James Mueller announced a Federal Railway Administration grant for $3.8 million to redesign Union Station so that it can replace the current South Bend Amtrak Train Station.
“We’re working with partners to bring back train service to downtown South Bend,” Mueller said. “So, thank you, CN. We know how important the railroads are to our economic vitality and to our future and we look forward to continuing partnership ahead.”
Email Tribune staff writer Juliane Balog at jbalog@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Canadian National America250 trains make Whistle Stop in South Bend
Reporting by Juliane Balog , South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Juliane Balog , South Bend Tribune | USA TODAY Network
