Train to Shiloh

March 29 – April 1, 2012

Fellow Reenactors:

We need your help as a matter of high priority.  In conjunction with the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Shiloh, March 30th thru April 1, 2012  in McNairy County, Tennessee, Cleburne’s Division and First Federal Division have worked with the Union Pacific Railroad to provide a “first of its kind” reenacting/railroad experience.  This experience is not likely to ever be repeated! The Union Pacific Railroad, transportation company was chartered in1862 by Congress to build part of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad line. Check out the video clips on this page: http://www.uprr.com/newsinfo/media_kit/steam/excursion_adventure/index.shtml

Prior to the Shiloh event, the Union Pacific Railroad will operate a steam powered train from Omaha, Nebraska to Memphis, Tennessee.  This 1,000 mile ride will take a couple of days and food will be provided by a caterer.  The only cost of this experience for you will be the cost of  food and the expense of you getting to Omaha to board the train.  This experience is open to period civilian, military  federal and military confederate, properly attired, reenactors.  You can even have wagons and guns loaded aboard the train but no animals.  The train will make stops along the journey to interact with the public and the media.  We can have up to 500 reenactors.

We recognize that there are a number of logistical challenges.  For example, for Eastern reenactors, dropping off tents, etc. at Shiloh and then driving (one way rental perhaps) to Omaha or flying from Memphis.  Unfortunately, at this time, there is no other information to share as we have just begun to plan the details.

What we need to know on an urgent basis is the following: 

• How many reenactors might be willing to participate in this train ride?  We are NOT asking for a commitment, just a sense of the extent of support there is for this train ride.  Please take a guess and let me know ASAP so we can continue coordination of the logistics and work with Union Pacific.
• What suggestions might you have to make this experience work for reenactors and the hobby?

Thanks for your help and cooperation

Joe Grosson on Behalf of the Blue & Grey Alliance and

Generals Joe Way and Terry Crowder, Commanders of Cleburne’s Division and First Federal Divisions respectively