Steam & Excursion > This Railroads Famous Herald Has Quite An Interesting History!

This August we will celebrate the 100Th anniversary of the National Park Service.  When we reflect back on the creation of our nations National Parks we cannot help but notice how the railroads are tied to their story.

By the 1920's several of the nations transcontinental railroads had national ad campaigns that touted the beautiful scenery that the lines ran to and through.  Several railroads advertised the National Parks that they served as a way to entice patrons. 

It was the Great Northern that took the lead in advertising it's connection to the National Parks.  GN president Louis w. Hill (son of GN founder James Hill) had actually been directly connected with the creation of the Glacier National Park.  This connection led to the GN adopting the motto as "The National Park Route".  They soon added "See America First" as part of their ad campaign.

In 1921, shortly after adopting this slogan, GN vice president W.P. Kenney approached Louis Hill with his idea for a new herald for the railroad that featured one of Glacier National Parks famous billy goats in the center.  The rest, as they say, is history.  It was not until 1955 that the goat on the GN herald first was given the name, "Rocky".

We see the herald proudly displayed in 1938 on GN #1172 and caboose X580 parked at Burlington, Washington.  Northwest railfan Harold Hill stopped to capture this fine photo that shows so well the pride the GN had in their route to one of the Nations first National Parks.

Martin



Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 04/29/16 03:44 by LoggerHogger.

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When my younger daughter visited Glacier Nat'l Park some years ago, she came back with photos of "Great Northern Mountain Goats" in their native habitat and a scale model of one of the classic White tour buses.

Nice looking little engine and caboose.   I've got the same in HO, two of my favorites.   Also have the switch stand lamp in full size.

Thanks for the pic.  Craig Hanson   Vay, Idaho