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Hello! My name is Bill Selleck. I am at least three and a half decades old. I am currently employed as a truck driver for the American Red Cross. I play the role of "Igor" setting up and tearing down blood drives. My interest in trains began, as it does for most, in childhood. My father planted the seed by bringing home an N - scale train set for me whenst I was just a lad. In the years that followed, my interest in "things train" has only grown. It may surprise you to learn that I live in Michigan. How indeed could someone who lives so far away from town become so fascinated by the railroads of Galesburg? After all, Galesburg is not exactly next door for me. Some of my friends have called it "Damn near Iowa". Galesburg is not exactly in the middle of the most picturesque landscape. There are no snow - capped mountains in the background; just corn and beanfields. No obvious grades to watch trains struggling over. So what enticed me to travel to the middle of the Illinois prairie to look at trains?
My interest began as a result of the purchase of a book about the history of the Burlington Northern Railroad. Inside was a picture taken in the 1980s from the roof of the depot. It showed a train passing the platforms of the old Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy railroad depot during the Railroad Days Festival.
A few years later, I was selling some model trains at a train show in Wheaton, Illinois. A man approached me offering a "Galesburg Railroad Days" poster. My mind recalled the picture from the book and I found myself agreeing to buy it. Upon seeing the wonderful artwork that this poster offered, I figured that this festival might be worth attending. After all, if they were going to all the trouble to print up posters of this quality... The man selling these posters was Harry Grossman. Unbeknownst to me at the time, Harry is the director of the model train show held in town each year during the festival. As he informed me of the events of the festival, I confirmed the idea to make a journey to Galesburg to investigate.
As the summer of 1996 approached, I began to make plans to attend. I was ready to pack my car and make the great trek west to undiscovered lands. But some superior force had other plans for me. The weekend of the annual Railroad Days festival was absolutely one of the best of my entire life. I saw more new things, felt more new feelings, and a love for the things that are really important in life filled my heart. No, not those "damn trains". Our first child was born! We did not name him "Galesburg" as my friends later suggested; intelligent donkeys that they are! My only regret is not formally writing to the RR days staff, asking them to change the festival weekend's dates. I just hope he grows to like trains as much as I. That way, I will not have to hear my wife say to our son every June "Here Will, smash this locomotive and try not to be angry with your father". Finally, in 1997, I bribed two friends to join me in a railfaning trip to central Illinois. We would just happen to be in Galesburg for Railroad Days! Tee Hee
As you can see elsewhere on this website, the trip was a success! Galesburg seemed to really "speak" to me. I have always found it hard to have a single favorite railroad. I do so enjoy the variety that the world of trains has to offer. Central Illinois has a lot to offer the rail enthusiast. I discovered one of the more underrated places in the midwest to see trains. Below is a listing of reasons for my growing fascination with Galesburg's railroads...
1. The lure of distance. I live in Michigan. Therefore, Galesburg is a far western point on the map. It takes a good six hours to even drive out there! I suppose it has a certain mystique about it. Mostly that comes from not traveling east of Chicago much to railfan.
2. Peninsular state syndrome. Unlike Illinois, not many railroads "have" to cross Michigan to get to Chicago. Many major rail lines cross, or used to cross, Illinois for just that reason. Therefore, we michiganders find ourselves leaving the state in search of those busy mainlines. Granted, the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railroads keep at least two major mainlines busy up here. But it is uncommon to find that classic "big time" railroading in these parts. There are indeed busy spots here to watch trains. Its just that they are rather more sparse. So railfans in Michigan tend to suffer from this syndrome and seek trains elsewhere.
3. The lure of western railroads. BNSF is STILL (as of this writing anyways) a foreign railroad to Michiganders. We have to travel to Chicago to really get a good glimpse of any of that RR's action. Unless of course, we want to wait for the next DEEX (Detroit Edison) coal train to go screaming by on the Grand Trunk Western/Canadian National. Sure, there is locomotive pooling as well. But that is sporadic and often hard to catch. True, some will find BNSF trains "ho hum". But for eastern Americans, there is this lure of western railroads.
4. My favorite railroad environment. I have always loved prairie, or "granger" to some, railroading. Galesburg seemed to offer this, plus having a major yard and locomotive terminal. With its frequent passing of trains and hub style activity, it seemed to embody all that I love about this type of railroading. Galesburg still seems to represent a true "hub of points east" as it was called under the CB&Q years.
5. Galesburg is a friendly place! Now how many places have you seen signs that read "WELCOME RAILFANS"? Well, at least you see them during the annual Railroad Days festival. Townspeople seem used to the idea that there are ACTUALLY people in this world with nothing better to do than look at trains! In fact, it seems a lotta folks out there like them too! A local resident once told me "Oh yeah, lots of railroad brats in this town." Obviously many families through the years were/are "railroad families". You just can't seem to grow up in a place like this without some kinda admiration of trains. Perhaps my friend John said it best: "Its unique to have a town that owes its establishment and continued existence to the railroad". While we both realize that there are many other reasons for people to work and live in Galesburg, essentially his point is valid. One way or another, everyone here seems to have some kind of tie to the railroad.
6. RAIL HISTORY. There is the lure of the old Burlington and Santa Fe railroads. Perhaps not a lot is left of what used to be under these two railroads, however, their impact remains. Every year, I discover something new about Galesburg's "rail past". In 2000, I discovered how much the past means to the citizens of Galesburg. The railroad museum itself is the culmination of efforts by the local railroad employees who wanted to help preserve the past. I have learned that the restoration of its Pullman car and caboose are the unofficial work of some of these volunteers. One can usually find some museum volunteers who are retirees and serve as a living link to the past. I have been privileged to meet some local rail historians recently and they have been happy to share their knowledge as well.
7. Great Railfaning! There are several great places to watch passing trains. Many good photo locations both in town and nearby. Heck, I have not even discovered them all! And PLENTY of train frequency! During my first trip, we were unable to sleep much at night with all the train action we could hear passing outside the motel along the ATSF tracks. Galesburg offers all of the modern conveniences for railfans as well. You needn't look far to find more film, batteries, video tape, or fast food. (All the essentials of modern train spotting!)
8. Galesburg Railroad Days festival. Now how could any railfan, who calls themselves a railfan, resist a summer festival featuring trains? Each summer, the town and the gracious staff of the BNSF railway open up to railfans, and even those who feel no train longings. This festival has grown from a long tradition of the railroad recognizing the families of its employees. Each year, BNSF lends tremendous support to the festival. There is also a dedicated staff of volunteers who work hard making Railroad Days one of the nation's premier train festivals. Put it this way, if a busload of touring British railfans made Railroad Days one of the featured stops, its safe to say its worth a look. Husbands: be advised that there is plenty for the wife and kids to do while you "waste time looking at trains". Not to mention a really good train show to buy more of those items you don't REALLY need, but want anyway!
9. A feeling of home. Galesburg just makes you feel at home. Folks here are friendly and personable. Everyone is almost always very nice to me. This "folksiness" combines with my personal lifestyle: I live in a small town and I work in small towns. Seems natural that I would find a "small town" to railfan in, eh?
In summary, it seems that Galesburg really represents the pinnacle of everything I seem to like in trains. Its all the pleasures of mega train action in a small town setting. I don't think any place else can really substitute for Galesburg. Sure, there are more scenic places to watch trains. But none can make me feel as "at home".
My thanks and gratitude to the BNSF Railway and its employees, the Railroad Days staff, the staff of Carl Sandburg College,"Uncle Harry", and the residents of Galesburg for putting on such a wonderful annual festival! Not to mention, putting up with ME over the years!
NOW can I enter the big wheel races!?!?
Every June, I leave lands north and set out west. This is not simply a "trip to see a buncha damn trains" as some say. It is an annual pilgrimage for me. A yearly worship of that holiest of cities. Well, if you truly believe in the power of BNSF/CB&Q that is. I pack up my horse and cart (Oldsmobile and trailer) and bring gifts of homage (train layout) to present on the playing field (train show). There I stand, on the altar (Thirwell Road bridge) and watch the setting sun, meditating over a CW44-9 locomotive... ahh Nirvana (not the band)!
"...Oohm!"
