Spike setting ceremony at Pullman National Historical Park celebrates Chicago’s railroad legacy

Norfolk Southern joined state and local officials, leaders of the Federal Railroad Administration, and project partners on Nov. 9 to celebrate a step toward bringing historic Pullman railcars home to Chicago’s South Side.

The ceremonial spike setting recognized Norfolk Southern’s contribution to a future rail connection and honored the people working together to preserve the site’s legacy for generations to come.

Top Takeaways

• The celebration marked Norfolk Southern’s fulfillment of a $250,000 commitment supporting the first phase of reconnecting Pullman to the national rail network, which includes rail infrastructure and a rail feasibility study. It also launched fundraising for the remaining work needed to return historic railcars for restoration and display.
• Partners include Friends of Pullman National Historical Park, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and the National Park Service.

Building a Connection to the Past

Norfolk Southern’s Track Department installed a new switch off the company’s Pullman Branch Line on October 19, creating the starting point for a future connection between the active railroad and the historic site.

For Willie Mills, Senior Road Manager at Norfolk Southern, the project also carries a personal connection to the city.

“Chicago is where my railroad career began, so it’s especially meaningful to be part of an effort that will help reconnect Pullman to the national rail network and bring these historic railcars home,” said Mills. “It’s an opportunity to preserve an important part of railroad history for generations to come.”

The next Friends of Pullman National Historical Park fundraising effort will support:

• Building the remaining 1,000 feet of rail spur.
• Restoring historic Pullman railcars for permanent display.
• Constructing a protective glass enclosure to house the cars.

Honoring the Workers who Shaped American Railroading

The setting gave the ceremony significance beyond the track itself.

Generations of Pullman workers helped transform passenger travel through their craftsmanship and innovation. The community also played a pivotal role in American labor and civil rights history, from the Pullman Strike of 1894 to the organizing efforts of A. Philip Randolph and the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters.

Returning historic railcars would give visitors a more tangible connection to those stories, and a new way to explore both the achievements of the industry and the experiences of the people behind it.

What They’re Saying

“We are grateful to Norfolk Southern for this extraordinary investment in Pullman National Historical Park,” said Peggy Parfenoff, Executive Director of Friends of Pullman National Historical Park. “This $250,000 contribution is a major step toward bringing these historic railcars back to Pullman. These cars carry the stories of the people who manufactured them, worked aboard them and traveled across the country in them. Bringing them home will allow future generations to experience that history firsthand.”

What We’re Saying

“Railroads have played a vital role in shaping Chicago and connecting communities across America, and few places tell that story better than Pullman,” said Norfolk Southern’s Regional Vice President, State Relations Herbert Smith. “We're proud to reconnect Pullman to the national rail network to help bring these historic railcars back to the place where they were built. This investment reflects our commitment to preserving railroad history and ensuring that future generations understand the innovation, craftsmanship and people who helped build America's rail network.”

The Big Picture

Norfolk Southern’s contribution helped lay the groundwork for this important project while recognizing the workers and communities that shaped American railroading.

The November gathering celebrated the progress already made and marked the start of the next fundraising phase. Additional support will help complete the remaining 1,000 feet of rail spur, restore the historic railcars, and construct a protective glass enclosure for their display.

Learn more about Bringing Railcars to Pullman and how to support the project at friendsofpullman.com.

Learn more about Norfolk Southern's community grant programs.