Only in America! Yes folks, there are not many places in the world where a major freight railroad would suddenly decide to spend millions of dollars to drag the world's largest steam locomotive out of 60 years of retirement in a museum, and restore it to active service purely for use as a public relations tool. Here in America, we seem to have laser focus on the things that are wrong in our country, and we are reminded of such every night when we watch the news. But rarely, do we take the time to go back and reflect on just how good we really have it. On the morning of Big Boy's eastbound departure out of Evanston, WY, Cowgirl Rachel, an Evanston, WY local, came galloping into the railroad yard carrying a big ol' American Flag and she and her horse posed with that big "iron horse" for roughly 30 photographers in a scene that for me at least, just screamed "America!" For all of its faults, we have to admit that there is no place on earth like the United States of America. We are truly blessed to have it pretty darn good here. We know it's a special place when people from other countries will literally risk their lives to come here.
BTW, folks are probably wondering who this lady is. Rachel and her sister Rebecca (who also posed for us) are both members of the Rich Rebels, a competitive rodeo team in the Evanston area, and they compete in events known as: breakaway, team roping, poles, and the reined cow horse. The beautiful horse she is riding this morning is named "Smart Ranger Jac" and is her primary competition horse. And for those who are wondering, YES, Rachel is quite aware of all of the publicity that she and her sister are getting on RailPictures.net.
