Eleven-year-old shows railfanning is for all ages

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.) 

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.

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.”