2011 BNSF Special Begins 7,000-mile Rail Journey through 11 Cities in Four States
FORT WORTH, Texas --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BNSF Railway will begin operating the 2011 BNSF Special in Emporia, Kan., Friday, June 3, 2011, beginning a three-week, 7,000-mile journey through portions of Kansas, Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, visiting 11 cities along the route.
“The BNSF Special is a great way to share the excitement of the railroad with these special passengers and to say thank you to our employees, their families, and the communities we serve”
The BNSF Special will provide train rides to BNSF employees and their family members as a special thank you for their service to BNSF, our customers and the communities we serve, and to Boys & Girls Clubs in selected cities along the route. The train is available for BNSF employees and special guests only.
The BNSF Special features 15 restored vintage passenger railcars from the 1950s and 1960s, powered by two of BNSF’s newest locomotives. Passengers will include more than 5,000 BNSF employees and their families, as well as an estimated 1,000 Boys & Girls Club participants in three cities, BNSF customers, and state and local officials.
“The BNSF Special is a great way to share the excitement of the railroad with these special passengers and to say thank you to our employees, their families, and the communities we serve,” said John Ambler, BNSF vice president, Corporate Relations.
Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs
For the eleventh consecutive year, as part of the BNSF Railway Special, BNSF is partnering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America – providing free, round-trip train rides to children while raising funds for the local organizations. This year the BNSF Special will host Club members and guests from three different Boys & Girls Clubs along the route, including Amarillo, and El Paso, Texas. In addition, special trips will also be provided for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeastern New Mexico and Boys and Girls Ranches of New Mexico. Each organization will receive a grant from the BNSF Foundation.
2011 BNSF Railway Special Event Schedule
Friday, June 3 Emporia, Kansas
Sunday, June 5 El Paso, Texas
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, June 6-8 Albuquerque, New Mexico
Thursday and Friday, June 9–10 Clovis, New Mexico
Sunday and Monday, June 12–13 Slaton, Texas
Tuesday, June 14 Sweetwater, Texas
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, June 15–17 Amarillo, Texas
Sunday, June 19 Trinidad, Colorado
Monday, June 20 La Junta, Colorado
Tuesday and Wednesday, June 21–22 Newton, Kansas
Thursday and Friday, June 23–24 Wellington, Kansas
About BNSF
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight transportation companies operating on 32,000 route miles of track in 28 states and two Canadian provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods, grain, industrial goods and low-sulfur coal that help feed, clothe, supply, and power American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and efficient railroads in the industry. And we are working continuously to improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve. You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.