George Bush Presidential Library & Museum unveils 4141 locomotive in new addition
TEXAS A&M, Texas (KBTX) – The George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum unveiled the former President’s 4141 locomotive in its new home Thursday.
The locomotive joined the former president’s retired Marine One helicopter in the museum’s new addition, the Marine One/4141 Locomotive Pavilion.
After years of collaboration between the Texas A&M University System, Union Pacific, George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the George and Barbara Bush Foundation and other organizations, the locomotive is now a permanent part of the museum’s collection.
The train was renamed in honor of President Bush in 2005, painted to match Air Force One. In 2018, the same train led the former president’s funeral procession to his final resting place in College Station.
His lifelong love of trains made the addition to the museum particularly special ahead of the library and museum’s 41@100 celebration on what would have been President Bush’s 100th birthday.
“He would treat this particular building, and everything else as an iconic building where people can come and learn. So this is a special place. This is a very special train, but it’s special because President Bush was a special person,” Andy Card, CEO of the George and Barbara Bush Foundation and longtime member of President Bush’s staff, said.
The pavilion will be open to the public on June 13.