While a westbound Wisconsin Central freight, led by WC EMD FP45 No. 6652, sits on the connection track to the old Green Bay & Western (acquired by WC in August 1993) at Amherst Junction, an extra passenger train rolls by on the WC main line on May 2, 1996. This special, called the Laird Express, operated from Waukesha to Marshfield to raise money for the Marshfield Clinic. Former U. S. Secretary of Defense (and strong supporter of medical research and heath) Melvin R. Laird and Olympic gold medal speed skater Dan Jansen were among the guests on the train. WC EMD GP40 Nos. 3021 and 3017 carried special “The Campaign Train for Science” lettering as well as unique “‘Laird Express” nose emblems specially-applied for the occasion.
