Nearly a week after his death, former President George H.W. Bush traveled via train to his final place of rest in College Station, Texas.
His casket was loaded aboard 4141 — a locomotive named for the 41st president — which had a car specially outfitted with clear side panels so people could pay their respects to the former commander in chief as the train rolled by, the Associated Press reported.
Thousands of people showed up to do just that — carrying flags and signs or placing coins along the tracks to be flattened by the memorial train.
The train traveled from Houston, where a second memorial service was held at St. Martin's Episcopal Church, to the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Memorial, where he was interred in the family plot with his wife Barbara Bush and daughter Robin Bush, who died at age 3 of leukemia.
It was the first train memorial procession in nearly 50 years. The last one was for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 49 years ago. The first, the AP reported, was for President Abraham Lincoln.
The former commander in chief died on November 30, 2018 at age 94. His casket lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday, and a service — attended by every living president — was held in the National Cathedral on Wednesday.
A join services honor guard carries casket of former President George H.W. Bush onto train which carried him to College Station, Texas.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Following the Houston service for former President George H.W. Bush, he was taken via train to College Station, Texas.
Firefighters pay their respects as the train rolls by.
AP Photo/Michael Wyke
Thousands lined up along the tracks to pay their respects to the former president, who died at age 94 on November 30, 2018.
Thousands of people showed up to pay their respects to former President George H.W. Bush, who died on Friday, November 30.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
Crowds held signs and waved flags along the tracks.
Students from Salyer Elementary School wave flags at the train.
AP Photo/Michael Wyke
The train was headed to former President Bush's final resting place at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum.
The flag-draped casket of former President George H.W. Bush.
AP Photo/David J. Phillip, Pool
The train was outfitted with clear panels so that the casket could be viewed as it traveled to College Station.
People lined up along the railroad tracks, waving American flags flags to pay their respects.
AP Photo/Gerald Herbert
The above image shows the crowds of people in Navasota, Texas.
Some people placed coins along the track to be flattened by the memorial train.
AP Photo/Nomaan Merchant
According to the above photo from the Associated Press, Ana Garza from Cypress, Texas placed coins on the tracks to be flattened by the memorial train carrying former President Bush.
President Bushs casket carried by the joint honor guard.
AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, Pool
Family members follow the casket to its final resting place.
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