BNSF News

BNSF Special 2011 Wraps Up Memories for Another Year

2011-06-30

After more than three weeks in operation, the BNSF Special 2011 has completed its mission for the year, after hosting more than 11,000 employees, family members and special guests.

This year's Special reached a new milestone: the annual train event has handled an accumulated total of 12-million safe passenger miles since it began in 1996.

"It was a very successful trip," said Joe Faust, director, Public Affairs, who organized the event. "We were able to recognize our employees for their contribution to the overall success of the company and, through the BNSF Foundation, make a positive contribution to non-profit agencies providing valuable services to those areas.

One highlight of the trip was the presence of a real Harvey Girl. For many years during the Santa Fe Railway's history, Harvey Girls worked in Fred Harvey Houses along the Santa Fe lines and served warm meals for railroaders weary from travel.

Lorraine Kunsman of Albuquerque, N.M., worked 39 years for the Santa Fe after spending four months as a Harvey Girl in La Junta, Colo. Kunsman started work with the Fred Harvey House in August 1944 after graduating from high school. After hearing about jobs on the railroad, she applied for a position in the telegraph office and was assigned to Las Vegas, N.M., as an operator apprentice. She worked over the years as a messenger and a switchboard operator.

Kunsman said riding the train brought back memories of her days with the railroad. She often took the Super Chief or the Chief between Las Vegas, N.M., and Trinidad, Colo., where her mother lived. In later years, she frequently took Amtrak to visit relatives.

"It was a thrill to ride the train again," she said.

Several members of the local Harvey Girl Society boarded the BNSF Special in Albuquerque, as well, and provided assistance onboard the train for every trip. In Lubbock, one Harvey Girl member helped with passengers prior to boarding the train.

Other highlights from this year's Special included trips with nine charitable organizations as well as events with community leaders and business partners and with state, local and internationally elected officials.

Donations from the BNSF Foundation were presented to nine major organizations focused primarily on improving the lives of youth.

About the photos: Lorraine Kunsman, a genuine Harvey Girl, is pictured top right, while several members of the Harvey Girl Society in Albuquerque pose on board this year's BNSF Special.

BNSF Headquarters

BNSF Railway Company
2650 Lou Menk Dr. 2nd Floor
P.O. Box 961057
Fort Worth, TX 76161-0057
Phone: (817) 352-1000

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com