BNSF treats employees’ families to ride in vintage coaches

EVERETT — Some companies give their employees a picnic to show their appreciation. Others hold retreats or offer other benefits.

For local employees of BNSF Railway, it was a train ride.

But not just any train: the 15 cars date from the 1950s, and are part of the railway’s executive business car fleet, normally used to entertain customers or senior staff. They include upholstered chairs in the cafe car, granite bar tops and hardwood interior paneling.

The train pulled out of Everett Station at 10:30 a.m. June 25 with 289 passengers, all employees, their families or friends, for a nearly three-hour ride down to Seattle and back along the shore of Puget Sound.

The kids were excited.

“It’s my second time. My first time I went to Olympia, the state capital,” said Mikaylah Holm, 11, who was traveling with seven family members and friends.

Each year, the railroad brings the train to one of its regions of operations, said Gus Melonas, the company’s director of public affairs.

This year is the Pacific Northwest’s turn, and the train is visiting 12 cities, including Seattle, Auburn, Tacoma, Vancouver, Pasco, Spokane, plus stops in Idaho and Montana. The crew on the train, including those working the club car and a souvenir shop, ride along and stay in the sleeper cars.

The last time it came to the Northwest was 10 years ago, when the train took employees up to Stevens Pass and back.

“It’s a way to recognize the dedication and hard work of our employees,” Melonas said.

For many of the kids, this was their first train ride.

“Awesome!” said Cruz Kraft, 4. Why is it awesome? “Because it’s so fun!” he said.

Cruz came along with his parents, Joey and Jody Kraft, and sisters Kristina and Layla.

“He went through a phase when he was very excited about trains, Thomas the Tank Engine in particular,” said Joey Kraft, who works for BNSF as a conductor.

Heading through Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood, Jody Kraft points out Ray’s Boathouse restaurant to the kids. “That’s where we got married,” she said.

In the Balmer Yard in Seattle’s Interbay neighborhood, where the train reversed direction, Herb Alexander, of Shoreline, pointed out cars to his grandson, Thomas, 3.

“That’s a C6 hopper,” Alexander said. Then, heading by a yard building, “that’s where grandpa hangs out.”

Asked whether Thomas was enjoying himself, the boy shook his head. But when the train rolls alongside a train of auto carriers parked on a siding, he’s rapt.

“I see a car! How do they come out?”

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the merger of the Burlington Northern and the Santa Fe railways, and it is also the 20th year the “Employee Appreciation Special” has been offered.

Prior to the merger, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway used to offer occasional employee train rides, but the Burlington Northern only picked up the practice after the merger, Melonas said.

“I’m glad the company did this. A nice little morale boost so the family can see how we operate,” said Michael Jones, of Marysville, who works as a conductor, switchman and brakeman. He came out with his wife, Megan, and their kids, Mekai, 8, and Naomi, 3.

The kids on the train got some free goodies, including coloring books, paper engineer’s caps and snacks.

Toward the end of the trip, Mikaylah Holm boasted that she’d eaten three bags of chips, while her friend, Hadley Binge, who is “seven and three-quarters,” claimed two Rice Krispies treats.

“I’m not a big eater, but I love eating snacks,” Mikaylah said.

She added, apropos of nothing, that she loves basketball and has a pet chicken named Rosie.

“She’s pretty funny when you get to know her,” Mikaylah said.

Mikaylah’s mom, Barb Holm, of Lynnwood, said her husband, Ed, has worked for BNSF for 43 years, and wasn’t on the ride because he had to work that day.

“He helps make the trains better,” Mikaylah said.

“He’s a mechanic,” Holm explained.

“I think it’s pretty awesome,” Mikaylah said.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.