C&NW Heritage Train in Arlington Hts. this weekend

Here’s your chance to get up close and personal with one of the Union Pacific’s biggest engines.

From noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 7-8, the Chicago & North Western Heritage Locomotive, the UP 1995, will be parked at the northwest corner of Kensington and Douglas, adjacent to the Frontier Days festival in Recreation Park.

The event is called “Touch A Train,” and like the name describes, visitors are invited to walk around the engine, and take photos. Climbing on the engine is not allowed.

Representatives of Operation Lifesaver, the project to prevent injuries and deaths at rail crossings, Heller Lumber, the Arlington Heights Society of Model Engineers, and the Arlington Heights Quasquicentennial Committee will staff the “Touch A Train” event.

The Arlington Heights police and fire departments will display their antique vehicles alongside the locomotive.

“Touch A Train” is being done as part of the village’s 125th anniversary celebration, said Touch A Train coordinator Tom O’Rourke. It is being presented by the UP, Heller Lumber and the Quasquicentennial Committee.

The Chicago & North Western Railway merged with Union Pacific in 1995. The C&NW Heritage locomotive is a working unit, and was painted in C&NW colors in 2006.

The Union Pacific will have a short Train Town presentation at 2 p.m. Saturday, commending Arlington Heights, Mayor Arlene J. Mulder and the village trustees.