A former Santa Fe Railway engineer is trying to resurrect an old tradition — a Big 4 picnic.
The Big 4 union included firemen, brakemen, conductors, and engineers and their families from Emporia and along the division line. It routinely brought hundreds of Santa Fe families into Emporia for a day of food, games and prizes.
“In fact, the Santa Fe used to run a special train just to bring people in for it,” said Terry Coffelt, who wants to hold a reunion of Santa Fe’s former Big 4 members. “I’ve been talking to some of these guys. They used to give ponies away to the kids. It was something.”
Coffelt plans to have the privately hosted reunion picnic on Sept. 19.
Anyone interested in attending or in assisting with arrangements may call Coffelt at 341-9165.
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
Good Luck with those plans. As a kid, I attended those with my family. They were great fun & the number of people that attended and enjoyed & appreciated the activites was phenominal.
July 30, 2009 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
I loved going to those as a kid when my grandpa, Russell Kidwell was a railroader. Great memories!! I wish you the best of luck getting them to a annual event again.
July 30, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )