“Texas A&M is proud to host these icons of the Bush presidency,” Chancellor John Sharp said in the release. “We do everything we can to keep alive the memory and accomplishments of this wonderful president and public servant.”
The train traveled the 70-mile route through communities such as Old Town Spring and the city of Magnolia upon Bush's death, Community Impact Newspaper previously reported.
The locomotive's new resting place is part of a multimillion-dollar expansion being planned by the George & Barbara Bush Presidential Foundation; the university system board approved leasing 2 acres of land for $1 per year Feb. 4 for a museum expansion, according to the release. The new area will also house a future exhibit area for a Marine One helicopter.
According to the release, Union Pacific announced in 2019 it would donate the historic locomotive to the presidential museum.
The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the museum expansion, according to the release, and delayed any public celebration associated with this year's arrival of the historic locomotive. The arrival date of the locomotive to the museum will not be announced for security precautions.
“Union Pacific is proud and honored that the UP 4141 is one step closer to being on permanent display at the Bush Library,” said Scott Moore, the chief administrative officer and senior vice president of Union Pacific, in the release. “President Bush's love of trains is well known, and we are pleased that we can be a part of honoring his legacy.”
