It's that time of year again. Press release from Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, NE:

Press release from Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, NE:

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Maureen Thomsen, Events Coordinator, (402) 346-4002 ext. 222
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2009
Note: Great photo opportunity!


LOCOMOTIVE CLEANING TO TAKE PLACE AT KENEFICK PARK

OMAHA, Neb. – This Saturday, June 13, the two locomotives at Kenefick Park will receive a special hand washing to keep them in prime condition for celebrations such as Railroad Days on June 20 and 21.

Wasatch Railroad Contractors of Cheyenne, Wyo., Union Pacific Railroad and Lauritzen Gardens have partnered together on cleaning Big Boy No. 4023 and Centennial No. 6900. Training begins at 8 a.m., with cleaning completion expected by noon. Participants will be using ladders and scrub brushers to give the locomotives a thorough foam bath.

Exteriors of both locomotives will be cleaned along with the cab of Big Boy. Experts from Wasatch Railroad Contractors explain that locomotives such as Centennial and Big Boy were not designed to sit in parks as they do today. For this reason, it is vital that the locomotives are cleaned and maintained in an effort to preserve their outer appearance for as long as possible. They say it is important to preserve them and keep them presentable for the community to enjoy.

For more information on Railroad Days, visit http://www.omaharailroaddays.com. If you have questions, please call Maureen Thomsen, events coordinator, at (402) 346-4002 ext. 222 or e-mail at m.thomsen@omahabotanicalgardens.org.

Kenefick Park is located at Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center. Two of the greatest locomotives ever to power Union Pacific Railroad sit at the southwest point of the property, highly visible to passersby on Interstate 80 and welcoming motorists to Nebraska. On grand display are Centennial No. 6900 – the largest and most powerful diesel-electric locomotive ever built – and Big Boy No. 4023 – the world’s largest steam locomotive. Trams tour the garden’s 100 acres – including a stop at Kenefick Park. Tram operation runs daily May through October and weekends in April. Lauritzen Gardens and Kenefick Park are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Lauritzen Gardens is an urban oasis of beauty and tranquility. This 100-acre botanical garden, comprised of several outdoor garden areas, creates a living museum of unique four-season plant displays, maintained to the highest standards consistent with environmental stewardship. The visitor and education center includes the 5,000-square-foot floral display hall, a café, gift shop, resource library, classrooms, banquet areas, and a community room. Lauritzen Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the café serves lunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Admission to Lauritzen Gardens is $7 for adults, $3 for children age six to 12, and free for members and children under six years old. Lauritzen Gardens is conveniently located in the beautiful riverfront hills at First and Bancroft streets, and is close to the Henry Doorly Zoo, Rosenblatt Stadium and the Old Market. For more information, visit http://www.lauritzengardens.org or call (402) 346-4002.

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A good opportunity to help assist the cause of railroad preservation for one of the best displays of the largest locomotives. If anyone in the area has some time to spare this weekend, it would be a good activity to get you up close.

I still don't understand why these engines were left out in the open. If they can put a Saturn V rocket indoors, what's a Big Boy or a Centennial?

After working on two park engines, I can safely say that as long as an engine sits out doors, it will eventually succumb to the elements, regardless of how much maintenance is performed.