Eleven-year-old shows railfanning is for all ages

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Date
Oct 04, 2024

Read Time
2 mins.



Jacob Meissner standing in front of a BNSF locomotive
Jacob Meissner standing in front of a BNSF locomotive

Eleven-year-old shows railfanning is for all ages

By PAIGE ROMANOWSKI
Staff writer

For many, trains kindle a sense of wonder. This is especially true for young railfans, including Jacob Meissner, an 11-year-old railfan from Laurel, Montana. This summer, Meissner, his mom and his sister joined BNSF on its annual Employee Appreciation Special train.  

“I’ve been a railfan since I was two,” Jacob said. “My love of trains started with Thomas the Tank Engine TV shows and Thomas model railroads.” In fact, his favorite engine from the show was Henry, a name he lobbied his parents to give his little sister when she was born (They didn’t. Her name is Hailey.) 

Jacob, his sister, Hailey, and his extensive toy train set
Jacob, his sister, Hailey, and his extensive toy train set

As Jacob grew, so did his fascination with the railroad. He broadened his viewing to YouTube documentaries and historical accounts of the rail industry. His model railroad collection grew to an array of wooden train models and HO-scale model trains.  

Outside of his model train collection, Jacob stays connected to the industry by supporting railroads on social media groups and reading Trains Magazine.

Jacob and his growing model train set
Jacob and his growing model train set

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of his train tracking is he gets to observe BNSF’s operations at the switching yard near his home. He’s able to safely watch the activity from a safe and elevated view in his neighborhood  

“I stay interested in the railroad because I get to see different types of locomotives and freight in the railyard each day,” he said. “There’s nothing like standing at a crossing and watching something that powerful come by.”

The Meissner family on the BNSF Employee Appreciation Special in Laurel, Montana
The Meissner family on the BNSF Employee Appreciation Special in Laurel, Montana

Fueled by his the railfanning adventures and his proximity to a local railyard, he’s dreaming big and aspires for an “amazing opportunity to drive trains and be a part of the industry that I love.” 

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