Nau Center gets large grant from Union Pacific to go toward ‘Engines of Progress’ railroad exhibit

May 1, 2014

Southern Pacific No. 982 will be a part of Houston’s new Nau Center, which recently received a $1 million gift from Union Pacific Railroad. – Cowcatcher Magazine

The Nau Center for Texas Cultural Heritage announced a $1 million gift from Union Pacific Railroad for the “Engines of Progress” railroad interactive experience exhibit. It is the largest grant the Union Pacific Foundation has ever made in Texas.

“Thanks to Union Pacific’s generous gift, guests will leave the Nau Center with a firm understanding of both the historical and modern importance of the railroad industry in Southeast Texas,” said John Nau, Chairman of the Nau Center Board of Directors.

The Nau Center’s “Engine of Progress” exhibit will feature Southern Pacific No. 982, a vintage steam locomotive which will be loaded with special effects characterizing the train’s departure and trip across the Texas plains. To be located in the “Get Big Things Done” gallery, the exhibit will celebrate the history of the Southeast Texas’ railroad industry and the major role it played in the development, growth, and economic success of Houston and its people.

“Union Pacific is thrilled to support the efforts of the Nau Center in its mission to tell the remarkable history of Houston and southeast Texas,” said Brenda Mainwaring, Vice President Public Affairs South, Union Pacific Railroad. “With its focus on education, the Nau Center will bring history to life for Houston residents and visitors. We’re pleased that the region’s deep railroading roots will be featured as an important part of that story.”

Construction will begin this fall on the center, which will be built between the George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston.

When built, the Nau Center will be almost 70,000 square feet and include the city’s only two remaining houses built at the turn of the 20th century. Nau, who is CEO of Silver Eagle Distributors LP, gave an $8 million gift to help launch the project.

The center made headlines last year after SP No. 982 was donated by the Houston Junior Chamber of Commerce. The locomotive, built in 1919, sits outside of Minute Maid Park. After the donation, the Nau Center got a $750,000 grant from the Stewart and Joella Morris Foundation to go towards restoration. The locomotive has been on display near the ballpark since 2005, after spending nearly 50 years in Hermann Park. Plans are for No. 982 to be on display in the great hall of the Nau Center.

The center is expected to be complete in time for the 2016 Super Bowl, which will be played in Houston.

Spring is when large-scale model railroaders with their green thumbs plant and prune colorful foliage grown nearly to scale. In some areas, maintaining outdoor layouts is quite challenging because of changing weather. Nancy Norris, an author who builds garden railroads professionally, says some plant varieties have become more difficult to grow in certain Hardiness Zones. In some cases it means garden railroaders having to put more emphasis on growing native plants rather than relying on varieties more susceptible to extreme conditions. She recommends new gardeners consult with their local nurseries for the best choices for an outdoor layout. Norris also has a few recommendations of her own.

Sweeping tariffs imposed on goods imported into the United States are stirring model railroad manufacturers. As a result, model railroading and other hobbies will cost more. In February the U.S. applied a 10 percent tariff on goods imported from China, and the tax has since escalated. Suppliers – including Athearn, InterMountain Railway Co., Broadway Limited, Rapido Trains and ScaleTrains – have been putting dealers and customers on notice that prices will increase tariffs are implemented.

The first rule of railroading is “expect movement on any track at any time in any direction.” This may seem like an overabundance of caution, but railroading is a dangerous sport. Always expect a train when you’re around the tracks. The second rule of railroading is that there is an exception to every rule. The North American freight car fleet in 2023 consisted of 2.03 million rail cars, according to Railinc’s Umler Equipment Index. Rail car fleet management — how empty cars get dispatched to move to their next loading point — is an ever-moving process and often requires fleet car managers to be nimble.

Nau Center gets large grant from Union Pacific to go toward ‘Engines of Progress’ railroad exhibit

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