Passenger Trains > Occasionally we do things right

Oliver “Ollie” Tibbles loved trains. He was totally
fascinated by trains and, a few years ago, had the
opportunity to ride in the cab of a Metra train from
Union Station, Chicago, to Downers Grove, IL. Sadly,
Ollie died of a brain tumor in March 2004 at the age
of 7.

Last Saturday Metra announced it named a locomotive
for Ollie. While Metra locomotives have been named
for cities and towns, this is the first time a
locomotive has been named for a child.

The full story can be found at … (registration required)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0505240022may24,1,951924.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

peddler

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Yeah, I got this, and posted it on the Illinirail list today. Way to go Metra, they did a good thing with this, Jeff

I drove downtown this morning just to be able to be over by Roosevelt Road after work. A friend at work asked if I could get some photos of the first run as his wife works at Make-A-Wish. She was involved in organizing Ollie's cab ride a few years ago. I'll post an image when I get the slides back.

Let me say, that started to bring a tear to my eye. I dont cry for many things, but when something reaches close to your heart, its a good thing. This is 1 of the best things I have heard a railroad ever doing, and I thank Metra for doing this.

Telus6429
Ian
Windsor, Ontario
http://www.trainweb.org/swontariotrain/index.html
http://www.trainweb.org/wmrc/index.html
http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=199

Couldn't be more appropriate. A child called on to be far more brave and mature than one of his age should EVER have to be. Best to the Tibbles family and a big pat on the back to Metra.

Through my brother-in-law, the following is a note, quoted
in part, from Ollie's mother regarding this post.
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Hello there:-)

Your email was passed to me by the Make A Wish Foundation and
I have to thank you for passing on to your brother-in-law the
info surrounding the quite magnificently inspiring and poignant
gift bestowed upon our family in honor of our Ollie.

I even loved the name of the web site you passed to us...
'trainorders.com' ... Ollie would have LOVED that....and the
thoughts shared on the web site by fellow train buffs truly
touched me...thank you.

Your comment made in your email..'and in true railroad fashion,
it has now been shared by many'...is so true...one can almost
see the analogy; his spirit and the love and kindness generated
in the form of his train....flying along the tracks and into the
hearts of many.....

Sincerely,

Debi Tibbles
- - - - - - - - - -

Here are two photos taken by my brother-in-law at
Downers Grove, IL. Quite a few people showed up for
the arrival of this train pulled by the Metra
locomotive named in honor of Oliver "Ollie" Tibbles.

Photo 1 - Approaching the Downers Grove station.

peddler

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Photo 2 - At Downers Grove, IL

peddler

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