(The following appeared on the BNSF website on November 12.)
FORT WORTH, Texas — Since November is the month of being thankful and of giving, it was fitting that on Saturday, Nov. 3, a special BNSF passenger train operated for the benefit of less-fortunate children in the Phoenix, Ariz., area. This was the eighth year this train operated, thanks to local employee volunteers.
This year, five groups were represented on the train, which offers a special, carefree day for hundreds of children who are disadvantaged or are suffering from burns or other trauma. The groups represented were: Make-A-Wish, Center for Burns and Trauma, Phoenix Children’s Hospital Camp Rainbow, Arise Children’s Services and Arizonans for Children. More than 400 children and their parents were on board.
In addition to the support of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen-Division 647 and the United Transportation Union Local 1081, there were volunteers representing Arizona Operation Lifesaver and a local church serving as chair car attendants.
Made up of nine BNSF business cars, the roundtrip train departed from Glendale, Ariz., and then headed to Matthie, Ariz., before returning. The train made a second trip later in the afternoon for Phoenix-area employees and their families in recognition of the terminal having gone more than one year injury free.
Both trains were staffed by volunteer train crews. A paramedic and an emergency medical technician were on board as well, courtesy of the City of Glendale, and a physician was also on hand in the event of a medical emergency.
During the trips, engineer hats and train whistles were given to the children as gifts from the Southwest Division.
“We would like to thank BNSF management for once again making this trip possible for these children who would not otherwise have the opportunity to ride on a first-class passenger train, and we would like to especially thank General Manager Nate Murray for the gifts and snacks he provided,” says Ken Kyer, BLET local chairman and organizer. “A special thanks to Lynn Santi, retiring division director of administration, for all her help in getting this organized, as well as to the many volunteers who make this possible each year.”
Ten-year-old Joseph Thurman from Phoenix Children’s Hospital wanted to see the inside of a locomotive. He was presented with various gifts from BNSF, UTU 1081 and BLET Div. 647 including an honorary engineer certificate, several hats and pins. Joseph was given tours of a BNSF Evolution Series locomotive and of the passenger train.