The Virginian-Pilot
(Norfolk, Va.)
July 29, 2012
Youngsters get on board with railway safety
By Lisa Suhay
Janelle Brown is a member of Brownie Troop 161 in Virginia Beach. Norfolk Southern Railway brought its vintage Pullman executive passenger train to town, giving rides to local Girl Scouts.
In a joint celebration of both the 30th anniversary of Norfolk Southern Railway and the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts organization, 200 Girl Scouts learned about railroading and public safety aboard a Norfolk Southern-operated Norfolk-Petersburg round trip passenger excursion train this week.
The girls won their seats aboard the vintage Pullman cars by participating in a contest in which they created safety and anti-trespassing messages.
The train followed the same route future passenger trains will take the public starting next year.
These Scouts were also encouraged to earn the Explore Norfolk Southern Girl Scout Patch, introduced locally in 2010. So far, nearly 300 Girl Scouts have earned the patch.
The train ride coincided with the open invitation to both Girl and Boy Scouts to earn their Explore Norfolk Southern patches while attending the Lionel Collectors Club of America Annual Convention, which took place at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott this past week.
The program was developed by NS employees, Stacey Hugo, manager community outreach, and Kimberly Thompson, senior account manager, Seattle, both former Girl Scouts.
Lionel conventioneers were also treated to separate excursions to Petersburg aboard the train following in the girls‘ tracks.
Deborah Butler, Executive VP of Planning at Norfolk Southern Railway, also a former Girl Scout said, "The girls asked some great questions about whether there were any jobs for women in railroading and we told them that every job in railroading is available to them when they grow up."
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