A 1953 diesel locomotive used for years to push carloads of coal at the Council Bluffs power plant was brought out of storage Friday and given a new home at the RailsWest Railroad Museum.
More than anything else, the history of Council Bluffs revolved around the railroad.
That history was enhanced Friday as a 1953 Plymouth diesel locomotive came out of storage and was put on public display at RailsWest Railroad Museum, South Main Street and 16th Avenue. . .
For years, the locomotive pushed carloads of coal so that they could be unloaded at the Manawa power station of Iowa Power and Light, a predecessor of MidAmerican Energy.
By the late 1970s, however, conveyors accomplished that task, eliminating locomotive use. The Plymouth diesel had been in storage for many years . . .
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
A diesel-electric locomotive donated by MidAmerican Energy Co. now heads one of two strings of railcars in the outdoor exhibition at the RailsWest Railroad Museum at South Main Street and 16th Avenue.
The museum, located at South Main Street and 16th Avenue, recently received a diesel-electric locomotive donated by MidAmerican Energy Co. The engine will remain on permanent display with the museum's other railcars on the tracks east of the building.
It's the museum's newest locomotive and its first diesel-electric, said Michele Stephens, executive director of the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County, which operates the museum. Though the 30-foot engine is modest in size compared to the museum's older, steam-powered locomotives, it represents another phase in the city's railroad heritage.
"It's a wonderful addition to our collection of outdoor railcars," she said.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
Tim Rohwer
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE wrote:COUNCIL BLUFFS — A train museum that showcases this city’s rich railroading history is making its own history.
The 25th anniversary of RailsWest Railroad Museum, 16th Avenue and South Main Street, will be celebrated in June.
Tim Rohwer
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE wrote:The original rail depot was completed in 1870 for the Rock Island line.
A train left from there July 21, 1873, and was stopped and robbed by Jesse James and his gang near Adair, Iowa. The gang had been in Council Bluffs the day before to learn the train schedule, Borgaila said.
Tim Rohwer
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE wrote:In 1881, the depot was destroyed when a train rolled in with a load of dynamite that accidentally exploded.
The current depot was completed in 1899. At the time it featured a waiting room for women and children and another for men, who couldn’t venture into the other because of their vulgar language.
Tim Rohwer
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE wrote:The last Rock Island passenger train pulled out on May 31, 1970. The last day of operations was March 31, 1980.
In 1985, the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County obtained the rights to the building from the city and spent the next two years renovating it, Borgaila said. One of the first big events was Johnny Cash in concert.
The RailsWest Museum has acquired a Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Dining Car, #7801. The car has been stored just north of I80, East of the South Expressway, in Council Bluffs. I believe the car was owned by Gerry K (Omaha Street Car Gerry) and he has decided to donate it to the RailsWest Museum. The car is going to be placed behind the larger Steam Locomotive (UP 813). Move should take place next Tuesday.
Updates on the move can be found on the Council Bluffs Railraods FB Page.
The 1949 Chicago & North Western diner-lounge car was donated to the Historical Society of Pottawattamie County almost two years ago by Gerry Kopiasz of Council Bluffs
The diner-lounge car was built in 1949 by American Car & Foundry for the Chicago & North Western Railroad.
“The car was used between Chicago and the West Coast in the jointly run C&NW-UP-Southern Pacific Cities Trains until 1955,” Kopiasz said. “That year, the Milwaukee Road replaced the C&NW segment between Council Bluffs and Chicago. After that time, the car was used in various trains on the C&NW before being retired (year unknown).”
The diner’s arrival at the museum signals the beginning of the historical society’s drive to raise money for the car’s restoration, Borgaila said. She estimated the project will cost at least $20,000.
So apparently the model railroad club that was in the museum is no more and the museum tore out the elaborate layout. Tens of thousands of hours worth of work went in to the dumpster. Apparently there is now a toy train occupying the space that once housed the layout.
Brad wrote: ↑Wed Oct 09, 2019 12:01 pm
So apparently the model railroad club that was in the museum is no more and the museum tore out the elaborate layout. Tens of thousands of hours worth of work went in to the dumpster. Apparently there is now a toy train occupying the space that once housed the layout.
Any idea on the back story? There has to be one.
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
