4141 is home

President George H.W. Bush's beloved train treks to new permanent Texas home

In December 2018, hundreds of Texans lined the railroad near W. Hardy Toll Road to salute the historic Union Pacific No. 4141 Engine, a locomotive painted to match Air Force One. The blue and white carrier led the funeral train of President George H.W. Bush as it traveled to College Station, en route to the 41st president’s final resting place next to wife Barbara Bush.

Now, the historic locomotive will have a permanent home, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents announced. On February 4, the board approved a $1 per-year lease, which allots two acres to expand the grounds of the museum.

That space will eventually house an exhibit area for the 4141 locomotive, as well as a Marine One helicopter.

These two additions are part of a multi-million dollar expansion being planned by the George & Barbara Bush Presidential Foundation, according to a release. In 2019, Union Pacific announced it would donate the locomotive to the museum. The railroad had surprised Bush in 2005 by painting it to resemble Air Force One in connection with a train exhibit.

Former CEO of Union Pacific Dick Davidson is credited for being instrumental in creating No. 4141 and for jump-starting the fundraising for the museum expansion, a release notes.

Foundation officials note that the goal is to complete the project by 2024 to honor Bush’s 100th birthday. They also note that plans for the locomotive arrival have been stymied by the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to security precautions, the arrival date will not be publicly announced.

In 2005, Bush said that if No. 4141 Engine had been around during his presidency, “I might have left Air Force One behind.” Bush (or “41” as he was affectionately known in Houston) had recalled fond memories of riding and sleeping on trains as a boy.

Trains also carried Bush to his service as a naval pilot in World War II and back home. They became an unofficial symbol of his presidential campaign in 1988 and 1992 in themed “whistle stop” events.

“It is fitting this significant piece of history will now make its permanent home at the Bush Center at Texas A&M,” said Max Angerholzer, CEO, George & Barbara Bush Foundation, in a statement. “The train meant the world to President Bush. We are grateful to the entire Union Pacific team, especially Chairman and CEO Lance Fritz, for this special gift.”

Bush (or "41" as he was affectionately known) had a deep love for the train.

President George HW Bush Barbara Bush Train 4141 procession

Photo courtesy of Union Pacific

Bush (or "41" as he was affectionately known) had a deep love for the train.

city-news-roundup celebrities politics

Taking off

Southwest Airlines launches airport lounges, but skips Dallas Love Field

Southwest

undefined

Dallas-based Southwest Airlines is introducing its first-ever lounges in airports across the country, but the carrier flew past Dallas Love Field for the rollout of its first four.

In a release, Southwest says it expects to open the lounges late next year at these four airports:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu
Nashville International Airport (set to be renamed in honor of the late Dolly Parton)

Construction of the four lounges is already underway.

Southwest plans to open at least seven more lounges over the next several years, but it didn’t identify the locations. In other words, Southwest travelers shouldn’t lose hope of Love Field — the airline’s hometown hub — landing a lounge.

Holders of a Chase-issued Southwest Rapid Reward credit card being launched in 2027 will gain access to the airline’s lounges.

The airline said in the release that its lounges will “combine the warmth and friendliness” of Southwest with “sophisticated design, locally inspired dining, high-quality amenities, and valuable travel benefits” available through the Chase Sapphire Reserve network of lounges.

“The introduction of a lounge network represents a strategic investment in Rapid Rewards and deepens our 30-year partnership with Chase,” said Tony Roarch, Southwest’s executive vice president, chief customer officer, and chief brand officer, in a statement.

Love Field lacks DFW’s wealth of lounges
Love Field has no lounges affiliated with airlines or credit card issuers. However, Patrick Carreno, Dallas’ aviation director, said last year that the planned $2.5 billion overhaul of Love Field’s terminal would make room for passenger lounges.

The region’s other major airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, boasts 22 lounges and other “premium spaces.”

Fort Worth-based American Airlines operates five Admirals Club lounges and one Flagship Lounge at DFW, the airline’s busiest hub. American plans to open a new Admirals Club in the redesigned Terminal C and a Provisions by Admirals Club lounge at the under-construction $4 billion Terminal F.

Resonating with travelers
Airlines and credit card issuers realize the value of airport lounges, which are geared toward top-tier flyers.

A 2025 study by market research company JD Power found 47 percent of lounge customers plan their routes based on lounge access, and 82 percent pick an airline based on lounge access.

“Airport lounges have become so popular that many airports are now starting to mimic their designs and layouts in their public terminal areas,” Michael Taylor, managing director of travel, hospitality and retail at JD Power, said in a release.

“Lounges are clearly resonating with travelers, as expanded access through credit card perks and other non-status-related offers has fueled demand, bringing with it the unfortunate side effect of increased crowding,” Taylor added. This is driving the demand for additional lounge space within airport terminals.”

airport airports lounges love field southwest airlines