Tuesday, September 6, 2011
‘Big Boy’ paint job
Alex Frye, 13, carefully applies a coat of black paint around identifying numbers on the Big Boy train on Monday, Sept. 5, 2011, in Holliday Park. Members of the Sherman Hill Model Railroad Club spent the day applying fresh paint to the train, one of eight existing 4000-class Union Pacific trains still in existance today. (James Brosher/Wyoming Tribune Eagle)
Melissa says ...
Rest in Peace Alexander.
Posted at 6:37 pm on January 3, 2012
jason says ...
Rest in peace alex. I was fortunate to have known you. Even if it was for only a short time. You were a great kid.
Posted at 10:46 pm on January 3, 2012
Elizabeth says ...
We never met, Alexander, but if we had, I would have told you how much my little boy loves trains, too. Be at peace.
Posted at 11:09 pm on January 3, 2012
Vickie says ...
What a great image…Alex, I wish you would have known just how many lives you would touch…
Posted at 11:55 pm on January 3, 2012
Jeff says ...
You will always be loved and forever missed Alex. God Bless You
Posted at 4:54 am on January 4, 2012
Kristine says ...
Rest in peace ypung man ypur in Gods hands now, God bless
Posted at 8:24 am on January 4, 2012
Chante says ...
Dear Alex, you are in heaven now, with my babies! If you were in pain, that is gone now! Im so sorry, that life on earth wasn’t what you wanted it to be! Just know, that there will be good that comes from this tragedy, someone is talking to their child and holding them closer becayse of you! R.I.P. Angel Alex, I look forward to meeting you in heaven!
Posted at 9:49 am on January 4, 2012
Crystal says ...
Alex, from the first announcement of you missing, my heart was hurting. I didn’t know you or your family but a bond was formed and I wanted nothing more than to find you and reunite you with your family. I cannot explain the emotions I went through. My son and I searched for hours, prayed for days and cried countless times. I wish I had known you, I’ve heard amazing stories about you. You and my son would have been great friends. I have lost sleep and will continue to mourn for a child I didn’t even know. This alone should show you just how special you are. Many people around the world tonight are thinking of you. I will continue to pray that God keeps you safe in Heaven. You were an Angel on Earth and I can only imagine the great things you will do in Heaven. This world was a better place because of you. Everytime I see and/or hear a train, a silent tear will fall and I will remember you. I want to thank you for touching my heart and opening my eyes to what’s most important in life… Love. You will be in my heart forever…. RIP Alex….
Posted at 11:19 am on January 4, 2012
Rita says ...
What a sweet picture and just a peek into the kind soul of this little guy.
Breaks my heart… </3
RIP Alex
Posted at 11:36 am on January 4, 2012
Dylan Lambert says ...
I heard about this yesterday. It’s sad, getting to ride the UP Challenger, working on one of the largest steam locomotives ever built, and running live steam locomotives at an expert level… I may never have met him, but this young man is an example of what members of my generation are capable. Rest in Peace…
Posted at 12:48 pm on January 4, 2012
saul says ...
Alex, I didn’t know you but wish I had, I have worried so much about you and your family you were such a nice young man with a great heart and you are missed very much.
Posted at 2:10 pm on January 4, 2012
Ironhorse says ...
I never met him but it is sad for anyone especially railfans to lose one of their own, when you hurt one of us you hurt all of us, no one should ever have to endure bullying. If you see or hear of bullying anywhere don’t hesitate or pretend it will go away please say something and when you do think of little Alex. To the ones that bullied Alex, you’ll understand when I say that whenever you think of bullying or see it happening to someone else or even when you hear or see a train…I hope Alex’s face never leaves your mind so that this never happens again. God Bless Alex, he caught the West bound. May your tracks be clear and your signals be green Alex, the railfan community I’m 100% sure won’t be the same without you.
As a railfan, I think it would be fitting to hook up the whistle and bell of ole 4004 and sound off for Alex, I’m sure his family and railfan families
Posted at 6:52 am on January 5, 2012
Ironhorse says ...
I never met him but it is sad for anyone especially railfans to lose one of their own, when you hurt one of us you hurt all of us, no one should ever have to endure bullying. If you see or hear of bullying anywhere don’t hesitate or pretend it will go away please say something and when you do think of little Alex. To the ones that bullied Alex, you’ll understand when I say that whenever you think of bullying or see it happening to someone else or even when you hear or see a train…I hope Alex’s face never leaves your mind so that this never happens again. God Bless Alex, he caught the West bound. May your tracks be clear and your signals be green Alex, the railfan community I’m 100% sure won’t be the same without you.
As a railfan, I think it would be fitting to hook up the whistle and bell of ole 4004 and sound off for Alex, I’m sure his family and railfan families would find it a beautiful tribute to him.
Posted at 6:58 am on January 5, 2012
Andrew Treece says ...
Alex I’m sorry to hear about this I’ve never meeet you but me amd you have one thing in commen our love of the rails Next time I am out railfanning Im goiung to produce a video on youtube We also shared the love of steam locomotives. Hope your rest is a good one You have the clear signal and all your switches are lined i guess it was your time to brinf thr train in off the main rest in piece alex.
Posted at 8:19 am on January 5, 2012
Andrew Treece says ...
To the parents of alex and everybody Im going to put a video.together on youtube of all my UP power I have and of my steam videos my username is ble643 The video will be up in about sometime tomorrow just for alex .
Posted at 8:41 am on January 5, 2012
Mark Gulbrandsen says ...
I have known of this engine since my dad first brought me to Cheyenne in the mid 1960′s, we lived in the Chicago suburbs… now I live in Salt Lake City. I have been back to see it many times and have also been to the UP steam shops. Wonderful stuff!! There is no article here about the kid in the picture. What happened to him?
Posted at 3:36 pm on January 5, 2012
John A. says ...
I never met Alex, and was only linked to this story via a share on facebook. However, as a railfan, model railroader, and someone who was also bullied years ago for liking trains… this story hurts on so many levels. My thoughts, and prayers go out to his family. There really are no words that can be said to help with the loss of a loved one, especially one so young, but please know that there are many people sharing in your loss!
It may not seem like much, and many people may not understand when I say this… But I would like to see the Union Pacific paint his name under the road number of the current 4004, an SD70M, in honor of his memory, and his dedication to helping preserve the history of their railroad, and an amazing locomotive.
Rest in Peace Alex, you will never truly know how many lives you have touched.
Posted at 4:55 pm on January 5, 2012
adam says ...
Highball Alex! May you have miles of clear signals ahead. From one engineer to another, rest in peace.
Posted at 6:22 pm on January 5, 2012
amanda says ...
miss u we wish u would of told someone that u were geting bullyed and got ur bully in trouble than killed ur self
Posted at 6:39 pm on January 5, 2012
Sandra says ...
I’ll stand up to bullying!
Posted at 7:04 pm on January 5, 2012
Margaret says ...
Alex — I never knew you, but I wanted to say to your family that I grieve with them. You seemed like such a really nice boy, one any mother and father would be proud to have as a son. I pray that you have found peace at last. You are most definitely in the arms of One who is infinite Love, and knows you and loves you beyond all measure.
Shame on those who bullied you! May God’s infinite love and mercy transform them into truly loving people.
My kids got bullied at school, too, for being different, so I know (even second-hand) what you went through. My prayers are with you and your family now. May you all find peace.
R.I.P., Alex — you have touched many, many people you never met., and made the world a better place for just being in it.
Posted at 11:57 pm on January 5, 2012
Warrick Family says ...
Gone too soon! Rest in Peace Alex! You will be missed!
Posted at 11:25 am on January 6, 2012
Mike says ...
Alex, You’re memory will be as big as the steam train pictured with you
Posted at 6:52 pm on January 6, 2012
Mark L. Weedn says ...
I’m a hardcore railfan from Southwest Oklahoma. I never met or knew you. Wish we could have met though. This is probably the worst news to hit the railroad/railfan community. I will keep your family/friends, town of Cheyenne, WY, and railroaders/railfans worldwide in my thoughts and prayers. I hope right now you are in the engineer’s seat with the throttle in notch 8 grinding away at full power and that all the signals ahead are green. R.I.P. my fellow railfan.
Posted at 11:52 am on January 8, 2012
Pam Lee says ...
Hw will be greatly missed! R.I. P. Alex!
Posted at 2:09 pm on January 8, 2012
Pam Lee says ...
He will be greatly missed! R.I P. Alex
Posted at 2:11 pm on January 8, 2012
Samara says ...
Dear Alex,
My name is Samara and I was told your story….. Alex I didn’t know you but I wish I had
you are an amazing person…. When i heard your story I cried like a baby
It was like crying for a best friend but I didnt even know you…. You will forever be in my heart I hope some day I will be able to meet you…. RIP
Posted at 3:32 pm on January 8, 2012