By Railfan & Railroad Staff
COLLEGE STATION, Tex. — Union Pacific delivered locomotive 4141, a specially painted SD70ACe honoring former President George H.W. Bush, to Texas A&M University on Sunday.
The locomotive was painted in 2005 to look like Air Force One and lead the former president’s funeral train in December 2018. In 2019, UP announced it would be donating the locomotive to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum located at Texas A&M. Earlier this year, the Texas A&M Board of Regents donated two acres near the museum site to display the locomotive and, eventually, a Marine One helicopter. The exhibits are part of a multi-million dollar expansion being planned by the George & Barbara Bush Presidential Foundation.
UP 4141 was led to the Texas A&M site by SD70ACe 1943, the railroad’s military tribute unit. After arriving on campus, the locomotive was taken off the rails by a crane and moved to its final display site.
“What a historic day for our community,” said Chancellor John Sharp of the Texas A&M University System. “President Bush loved trains and we love everything associated with the legacy of President Bush. Congratulations to the crew at Union Pacific, our hauling contractor and everyone at the Bush Center at Texas A&M who worked to bring 4141 home.”
Foundation officials hope to complete 4141’s display site by 2024, the 100th anniversary of Bush’s birth.
Former President George H.W. Bush with SD70ACe 4141.