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June 12, 2007

Train takes them back

Vintage Union Pacific makes a run

By Shane Frederick

MANKATO — Liz Madsen stepped off the shiny mustard-yellow passenger train and back into 2007 Tuesday afternoon.

For the previous 90 minutes, she was transported to another era as she rode in vintage Union Pacific cars to Madelia and back.

“It’s like stepping back in time,” Madsen said. “It’s not an experience you can have in a car.”

About 200 people — most with invitations — took two trips on the vintage train, riding in cars called Feather River, Katy Flyer, Portland Rose, Sunshine Special and a double-decker car called Columbine.

The engines were built in the 1950s, and the restored passenger cars were from the ’30s and ’40s.

“It is cool,” said Jim Halbur, who rode with his 13-year-old son, Simon. “I’ve never ridden on a passenger train before. There’s a lot more leg room than there is on a plane.”

The rides were part of a Union Pacific safety awareness campaign called Operation Lifesaver.

Today two round-trip rides will depart St. James, including a 9:30 a.m. run to Lake Crystal and a 1 p.m. trip to Heron Lake.

With a captive audience, Union Pacific officials gave short presentations on safety on and around railroad tracks, especially at crossings.

“We want people to see how we operate,” said Andy Tennessen, Union Pacific’s regional manager of train operations.

“Look, listen and live,” Madsen said, quoting the presentation’s theme.

But the riders also enjoyed the trip, which gave them a fresh perspective of the scenery between Mankato and Madelia, including Minneopa State Park.

“It was super neat and super nice,” Bob Wingdger said. “You got to see the back side of stuff for a change.”

For Liz Madsen’s sister-in-law, Kris Madsen, the train wasn’t so much a time machine but a trip to another place, reminding her of a recent trip to Europe.

“It was like the trains in Denmark,” she said.

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