UP See the Bush train route for funeral train UP 4141
President George H.W. Bush’s body will be taken to his final resting place in a funeral train called UP 4141, and the public will be able to see the train as it moves along its route.
Union Pacific has a website that lists a lot of information about the Bush train, including route, a map and times. You can see the route map below. Former President George W. Bush shared a picture on Instagram from inside the train.
“Union Pacific is honored to participate in the funeral procession for President George H.W. Bush. The funeral train leaves Union Pacific’s Westfield Auto Facility Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. and should arrive at College Station across from Kyle Field at 3:25 p.m. The Westfield Auto Facility is not open to the public,” the site reports.
The former president’s casket is viewable to the public standing outside through a special car in the train.
Onlookers along the Funeral Train 100-mile route from Houston to College Station will be able to see the President H.W. Bush’s Casket in its special car, accompanied by military honor guard.
However, the public will be able to view the train elsewhere along its route.
The Bush Funeral Train Route Map
You can see the Bush funeral train route map above. It was released by Union Pacific.
The City of College Station has released information about parking and road closures:
“The Union Pacific train carrying President George H.W. Bush from Houston to College Station is scheduled to arrive on Thursday at about 3:45 p.m. An arrival ceremony — for family and invited guests only — will take place on the west side of the railroad tracks (across from the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center) before the President’s funeral procession continues to his final resting place, next to First Lady Barbara Bush and daughter, Robin, on the grounds of the Bush Library Complex,” a news release says.
“ROAD CLOSURES
Per orders from the United States Secret Service, the following roadways will be blocked to vehicle, bicycle and pedestrian traffic beginning at midnight on Thursday, Dec. 6:
Wellborn Road, from University Drive to George Bush Drive.
George Bush Drive, from Wellborn Road to Harvey Mitchell Parkway (FM-2818).
All streets leading to West Campus.”
As for spectator parking, the site explains, “Texas A&M University Transportation Services is allowing free event parking at six campus locations, including the University Center Garage across from Rudder Tower…Spectators are strongly discouraged from parking illegally in any neighborhood and from blocking any roadway. The College Station Police Department will take all necessary steps to ensure neighborhood streets have adequate emergency vehicle access and safe conditions for pedestrians and cyclists.”
About Bush Train 4141
Union Pacific also provides some background on the train. “The UP No. 4141 George Bush Locomotive was unveiled October 18, 2005, during a ceremony near the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum on the Texas A&M University campus in College Station, Texas,” it reveals.
“This marked only the sixth time that Union Pacific painted a locomotive in colors other than the traditional UP ‘Armour Yellow’ paint.The custom-painted locomotive incorporates the colors of the Air Force One used during Mr. Bush’s presidency and symbolizes national pride and strength. It bears the number 4141 in honor of the 41st president. The locomotive’s rear panel features elements from Air Force One’s wings and tail, including the American flag and sweeping lines of forward motion representing progress.”
It continues, “The SD70ACe locomotive measures 15 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 420,000 pounds with a full tank of diesel fuel. Its fuel tank holds 4,900 gallons of diesel. The UP No. 4141 is equipped with a 4,300 horsepower engine and can travel up to 70 miles per hour.”
Where to Watch?
The City of College Station website also explains where people can best watch the processions. “There are three locations (indicated in light blue on the Transportation Services map) where viewing will be safe and ideal, and College Station Police Department recommends you arrive at one of these locations as far ahead of the train’s estimated 3:45 p.m. arrival as possible,” it reads.
“For those wanting to safely view the train — led by the blue-and-white 4141 engine — carrying President Bush as it slows to a stop, spectators are urged to stand on the east side of Wellborn Road (behind perimeter fencing) either in front of the Kyle Field parking lot (Lot 62) or between that location and George Bush Drive.”