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THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE
IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2007
VOLUME 24, NUMBER 3
keeping track
BRIEFLY
Summer is almost behind us, and with the colder weather comes a return to normalcy
(at least until our Santa Express™ trains get underway). Thomas The Tank Engine™
began his journey back to Strassburg, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 24, after
nearly 14,000 people rode behind him during our 2007 Day Out With Thomas™ event.
While this year's numbers were down, they were in line with other Thomas events
across the country, and did make a dramatic recovery from numbers earlier in the year,
when sales were down more than 30%.In 2008, our Thomas event is tentatively set to
return to it's traditional LAST two weekends in September. A big THANK YOU to all of
our members and volunteers who made these two weekends possible.
2007 PUMPKIN EXPRESS TRAINS
This year's Pumpkin Express trains proved to be successful, with more than
550 riders making the trek to the "pumpkin patch" and return. Passengers
were treated to an hour-long ride, activity packs, a pumpkin, and pumpkin
cookies. Evie Stevenson took-on the task of baking the nearly 600 cookies for
the event. The recipe used was this year's blue ribbon award winner at an
Iowa State Fair baking contest which was sponsored by the Boone and Scenic
Valley Railroad. And now, by popular demand, here is that award-winning
recipe!
FROSTED PUMPKIN COOKIES
2 1/2 c. flour
Frosting:
1 tsp. baking powder
3 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 c. softened butter
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 c. half and half
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. hazelnut extract
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
cocoa powder
1/4 tsp. cardamom
Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, baking powder,
1/2 c. softened butter
baking soda, spices and salt. Set aside. in a medium
1 1/2 c. sugar
bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add pumpkin,
1 c. canned pumpkin puree
egg, and hazelnut extract and beat until creamy. Mix in
dry ingredients. Drop on cookie sheet using a medium
1 egg
scoop (approx. 1/8 c.) Flatten tops slightly. Bake 12-20
1 tsp. hazelnut extract
minutes. Cool on wire rack and decorate. To make
frosting, beat butter until fluffy. Add powdered sugar and
half and half alternately until spreading consistency is
reached. Add hazelnut extract. Color frosting as desired
using cocoa powder for brown tint.
KEEPING TRACK: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
DONATED LOCOMOTIVE REMAINS
IN BURLINGTON...Unable to arrange
transport to Boone, out ALCo S3
continues to languish in Burlington,
Iowa. Unless the locomotive can be
moved soon, it will likely be robbed
of parts for our existing ALCos, and
scrapped on-site. if anybody knows
of any connections that perhaps
we've overlooked, please contact us
at 800-626-0319, or [email protected].
PIZZA
TRAIN...On
Thursday,
October 25, the Boone and Scenic
Valley Railroad's first-ever pizza train
trundled down the rails of The
Scenic Line.
Passengers were
treated to their choice of pepperoni,
sausage, combo, or cheese pizza
which was prepared by Godfather's
Pizza of Boone. SANTA EXPRESS
TRAINS...Tickets for the 2007 Santa
Express trains will go on sale
November 1.
The first Santa
Express train runs on November 24,
with the final train running on
December 15.
For complete
schedule information, visit our
website: www.bsvrr.com. If you
would be interested in helping with
the event, please contact Bonnie, at
800-626-0319.
KATHI STIRLING
RESIGNS
AS
VOLUNTEER
COORDINATOR...I'm sorry to report
that I'll be losing my office partner.
December 21 will be Kathi Stirling's
final day at the Boone and Scenic
Valley Railroad. Kathi has worked
extremely hard lining-up crews,
assisting customers in making
reservations,
entering
those
subsequent reservations into the
computer, etc. While she says that
she'll still be around, we're going to
miss seeing her on a daily basis.
Thank you, Kathi, for everything that
you've done for us!
NOVEMBER 2007, PAGE 1
Water water Everywhere
Anybody who has been around the Boone and Scenic
Valley Railroad for awhile has undoubtedly heard the
stories or seen the pictures from 1993; pictures of
trackage suspended in mid-air, where only hours before
was a well-groomed roadbed.
NOTHING NEW
High water has wreaked havoc on our line many times
over the years. Fraser always seems to be a troublesome
area. In the spring of 1933, the Des Moines River
consumed the town's depot. Then in 1954, floodwaters
inundated the Fort Dodge Des Moines and Southern's
Fast forward to the year 2007, and we are experiencing a Fraser power plant, landing a major blow to the line's
similar situation. This time, we were fortunate in that the electric operations.
Thanks to Dean Briley for providing
most serious of damage occurred on the west end of our us with the following image of the flooding of 1954.
line, just east I Avenue near Wolf Junction. However, this
does not mean that the rest of the line went untouched.
A major washout occurred between Laube's Crossing and
Fraser, resulting in a shortened trip to just beyond the
Gravel Pit Spur. Once this washout was repaired, several
smaller washouts still prevented trains from being able to
reach Fraser. With the hard work and dedication of our
crews, along with the assistance of Tom Rose, we were
once again able to reach Fraser within a couple of weeks.
While the daily excursion trains are operating normally,
our dinner, dessert, and picnic trains are still not able to
make their full trip. What was a 2 1/2 hour ride has now
been cut back to 2 hours. We are currently working with
FEMA and other government agencies to try to secure
funding for work to get underway to re-open the segment
of track between Fraser and Wolf Junction.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who pitched-in to help
keep us going. With your help, we were able to keep
running, and did not have to cancel a single trip due to
the damage sustained. Mother Nature may have given us
a good smack, but she didn't knock us down.
Power plant overtaken by floodwaters at Fraser.
To the casual observer, the above picture
might represent a palatial riverboat on a
cruise. To many Fort Dodge-Des Moines Line
employees it represents our power house with
8 1/2 feet of water in it, its throbbing
generators silenced by a whim of nature.
Fortunately
for
all
concerned,
neither
management nor employees gave up in despair.
From one end of the line to the other,
dozens of employees of all ranks worked
around the clock for many days and nights to
restore service on the railroad. The spirit
and co-operation between our management and
employees in restoring our properties to
normal condition will be observed by our
shippers and will be a determining factor in
their future patronage.
We aren't through yet, but we won't stop
until the job is done.
Let's show our
shippers that we know where we're going and
how we're going to get there.
Fort Dodge-Des Moines Line Reporter
July, 1954
Washout near Fraser. Photo By Fenner Stevenson
KEEPING TRACK: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2007, PAGE 2
Water Water Everywhere
Rod Olson, Anna Romanowska (Poland's very own),
and Jonathan Smith take a well-deserved break from
clearing debris on the siding at Fraser. Photo By Bill
Dolezal
More 2007 damage, again near Fraser. Photo By Fenner
Stevenson
REMINDERS BOARD
The November meeting of the Iowa Railroad
Historical Society's Board of Directors will take
place at the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad's
depot at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, November 20.
Please plan to attend the Iowa Railroad Historical
Society's Annual Meeting/Volunteer Dinner to be
held on Saturday, January 19, 2008. Look for more
details as they become available.
PUFFERBILLY DAYS 1984
NEWS FROM THE DIVISION
STREET SHOPS
Throughout the past couple of months, the Boone and
Scenic Valley Railroad's shop department has
continued to stay extremely busy.
Aforementioned flood damage kept members of the
shop crew out on the line helping our track crew make
repairs.
Section men Jimmy Will and Joe Feeney,
members of the shop crew, and Roger Stirling, also
rehabbed the Gravel Pit Spur for use by October's
Pumpkin Express trains.
Preparation for, and post-Thomas clean-up were also
added to their list of duties. A restroom was added to
open-window Lackawanna coach #3218, as all other
restroom-equipped coaches were used on the train
pulled by Thomas The Tank Engine, leaving our Fraser
excursion train without restroom facilities.
Of course, normal day-to-day shop activities also took
place.
92-day inspections were completed on
locomotives 1003, 1098, 1858, 2254, and 6540.
METRA CARS
The Boone and Scenic Valley's nine car train barely fits on
the high bridge, Saturday, September 8, 1984. This view
was taken from up in Bass Point Creek valley, looking west.
Note the borrowed locomotive from the Chicago and North
Western Railway. Photo By Paul Swanson
After a year-long wait, the IRHS's newest acquisition,
three sets of former Metra bi-level "Highliner" electric
commuter cars, arrived in August. The cars' arrival
drew several spectators to watch the cars make their
way around the transfer track. While the length of the
cars, combined with the tight radius of the transfer
caused some concern, the cars negotiated the curve
without incident. With everything else happening,
there's not a lot to report on the cars right now. Look
for more information in upcoming newsletters.
KEEPING TRACK: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2007, PAGE 3
The Scenic line
LOOKING BACK at 25 years
On Thursday, June 9, 1983, a ceremony was held in
downtown Boone with Tom Crooks, Mel Hanson, and George
Maybee (Iowa Division Manager, C&NW) presiding. A
contract was jointly signed between the BRHS and
Chicago and Northwestern Transportation Co. for
purchase of the tracks. Purchase price is $50,000
with payment due by December 31, 1983. A $5,000 downpayment was made at the ceremony. Property purchased
includes the 11 miles of track, right-of-way, the high
bridge, the Des Moines River bridge, sidings, the
Harrison Street yards and a vacant lot a few blocks
away. The tracks are being leased free to us until
the purchase is completed.
On June 9, 1983, after the contracts have been signed,
Chicago and North Western Iowa Division Manager George
Maybee receives a "Save The Tracks" pin from Boone Railroad
Historical Society President Tom Crooks.
Before the days of the depot, passengers boarded the
train at this gravel parking lot located at the corner of
Division and 11th Street. Here, a group from Citizens
National Bank is preparing to board.
Volunteer Doug Bullard on the steps of our first bay
window caboose, which was restored in the summer of
1983.
KEEPING TRACK: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2007, PAGE 4
While passengers were still boarding from the gravel parking
lot at 11th and Division, just across the tracks, construction of
our new depot was well underway.
Duane Briley readies bricks to be used in the platform of
the new depot.
(Left to Right) George Eckstein,
Reuben Hauge, and Dean Briley
look on at the dedication of the
new depot.
On Saturday, June 27, 1987, Lloyd Nelson
drives the golden spike near Fraser Spring,
signifying the completion of track work to
reach Fraser.
KEEPING TRACK: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2007, PAGE 5
Maurice and Doris Wilson
Dorothy and Charlie Goldsworth
On December 6, 1989, steam returned to the Des Moines River valley. Photo By M. Johnson
KEEPING TRACK: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2007, PAGE 6
1983
*11 miles of the former Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern trackage are purchased
from the Chicago & North Western Railway
*During the last weekend of October, more than 1100 people rode the first Boone &
Scenic Valley trains from Harrison Street Yards, across the high bridge, and return.
The train consisted of a leased C&NW locomotive, a borrowed former C&NW dining
car, an open-air car, and our former Northern Pacific bay window caboose built in
1902.
1984
*2466 people ride the B&SV during Pufferbilly Days
*Chicago South Shore & South Bend coaches arrive
1985
*Southern Pacific sleeping car 9044 arrives
*Present depot dedicated May 18, 1985
1986
*Kate Shelley car breaks away from C&NW crews in Boone and collides with B&SV
train at the Y-Camp
The flooding of 1993 hit the Iowa Railroad Historical
Society hard. 180 feet long, and 45 feet deep, this is "The
Big Hole", just west of Pilcher's Overhead, west of Boone.
1987
*Rail service restored to the town of Fraser
*Fort Dodge Des Moines & Southern's former 11th Street Station acquired
1988
*Electric trolley service gets underway
1989
*JS8419 arrives in Boone
1990
*JS8419 carries it's first paying passengers
*Former Lackawanna coaches purchased
1991
*Norfolk & Western locomotive 475 sold to Strasburg Railroad in Pennsylvania
1992
*Water tower put into service
*C&NW locomotive 1003 repainted into Chicago Great Western colors
1993
*Flooding ravages portions of The Fort Dodge Line
1995
*Charles City & Western Car 50 makes first run
Volunteer Ruth Duncan aboard the newly-refurbished
City of San Francisco car. The car would be used to kickoff our dinner train service in May of 1999.
1996
*Napier Depot purchased and moved to downtown Boone
1997
*First Day Out With Thomas event at the IRHS
1998
*ALCo S2 1098 released from the shop for train service
2000
*Bass Point Creek High Bridge and Des Moines River bridge rehabilitated
2001
*Union Pacific dining car 4810 purchased
*IRHS regains control of the remaining Fort Dodge Des Moines and Southern
trackage in Boone, and begins handling switching for industries located in Boone's
Industrial Park
2003
*Valley View car introduced
2004
*10,000 ties replaced, and other improvements made at a cost of more than half of
a million dollars
*Santa Express trains make their debut
2005
*Picnic train introduced
Gary Stasko at the throttle of 1098 on the first trip to
Boone's Industrial Park.
2006
*40' X 100' addition to Division Street Shop
KEEPING TRACK: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
NOVEMBER 2007, PAGE 7
IOWA RAILROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
PO BOX 603
BOONE, IOWA 50036-0603
B&SVRR 2007 SANTA EXPRESS VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP
NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO.15
BOONE, IA
Return to: B&SVRR,, 225 10th St., P.O. Box 603, Boone, IA 50036
1.) I would like to help on the “Santa Express” trains as a : (indicate 1st, 2nd , 3rd choice,etc.)
Car Attendant - read the “Polar Express” and other stories, lead singing and other activities
Server – help fill cups of hot chocolate/ distribute cookies, hot chocolate
Elves – (younger kids) distribute napkins, song books, color sheets.
Advance Prep- bag cookies, napkins & song books: 1:30 - ____11/19 ___ 11/26 ___12/3 ____12/10
Gift Shop – Retail sales
Santa
I have my own Santa suit
Will need to use B&SVR’s suit (size Large)
2.) I am available for these trains:
Tuesday 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 27
Dec. 4
Dec. 11
Wednesday 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 28
Dec. 5
Dec. 12
Thursday 6:00 p.m.
Nov. 29
Dec. 6
Dec. 13
Saturday 10:30 a.m.
Nov. 24
Dec. 1
Dec. 8
Saturday 1:30 p.m.
Nov. 24
Dec. 1
Dec. 8
Saturday Dec. 15
1:30
4:00
6:30
*Birth date
*Required for S.O.R.
3.) Name
Address
Phone
Cell Phone
E-Mail:
*Driver’s License or Soc. Sec. #
My child, (name)
(age
)
has permission to volunteer for the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad. (children under age 10 must work with a parent or teen sibling)
Parent signature