Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad facts for kids
BSVY train crosses the Bass Point Creek High Bridge.
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Boone County, Iowa, U.S. |
| Dates of operation | 1983–present |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Length | 11 mi (18 km) |
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad (reporting mark BSVY) is a special kind of railroad that offers fun train rides and also moves some freight in Boone County, Iowa. It's a great place to experience history on the tracks!
Contents
History of the Railroad
This special railroad started in 1983. A group of volunteers wanted to save a beautiful part of an old railway line. This line was once called the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad (FDDMS).
Building the Tracks
The original tracks were built way back in the 1890s. In 1907, they added electricity to power the trains. But in 1954, a big flood damaged the power plant near Fraser, Iowa. Because of this, the railroad started using diesel engines instead of electric ones.
New Owners, New Life
Later, in 1968, another company called Chicago & North Western (CNW) bought the entire FDDMS system. They soon started closing parts of the line. But in 1983, the Boone Railroad Historical Society stepped in. They bought an 11-mile (18 km) section of the track for $50,000. This part of the track is very scenic! It goes through the Des Moines River Valley and crosses a 156-foot (47.5 m) tall bridge over Bass Point Creek. The line runs from Boone, through the old coal mining town of Fraser, and ends at a place called Wolf.
A Popular Attraction
The railroad quickly became very popular. A new train station was opened in 1985. Today, more than 30,000 people visit each year! They enjoy regular train rides and special events. These include the "Thomas the Tank Engine" rides in September, the "Pumpkin Express" in October, and the "Santa Express" during the holidays. The Santa Express even has a special book written just for the trip! You can also enjoy special dinner trains in dining cars.
The Railroad Museum
In 2012, the James H. Andrew Railroad Museum and History Center was added next to the train station. This museum helps to save and show thousands of items from Iowa's railroad past. You can see old track tools, toy trains, dishes from dining cars, old train schedules, photos, lanterns, and even telegraph equipment. The museum also has special exhibits, a research library, and a small theater.
Train Collection
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad owns many different types of locomotives (train engines) and lots of passenger cars.
Famous Steam Locomotives
One of their steam engines, called No. 17, is very famous. It used to belong to the Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railway (CO&E). This engine holds a special record: it was the last steam locomotive used by a regular railroad in North America. It was bought in 1987. For a while, it was on display, but it got rusty from being outside. Now, it's been moved to a spot near Highway 30 in Boone. It's painted black and is a permanent display, like a welcome sign for the town.
In the late 1980s, the railroad also got a 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive from China. This engine, China Railways JS No. 8419, cost $335,000. It's a powerful engine that pulls the museum's 1920s-style train rides every Saturday from Memorial Day Weekend until October 31.
Diesel and Trolley Trains
In 2002, the BSVY got and fixed up an GMD FP9 diesel locomotive. This engine used to carry passengers for Via Rail Canada. It's now painted in colors inspired by the old Chicago and North Western Railway. This locomotive powers the BSVR dinner train.
The railroad also offers a short ride on a trolley. In recent years, they have also started doing some light freight switching for local businesses in Boone industries. Their station is very close to the main tracks of the Union Pacific Railroad.
On March 10, 2023, another historic diesel engine arrived. It's an EMD F7 that used to belong to the Chicago and North Western railroad. The Union Pacific Railroad donated it. The railroad plans to fix it up so it can run again!
Gallery
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BSVY #6540, a former Canadian National Railway GMD FP9 with CNW markings.
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Ex-Charles City Western Railway X50 trolley.
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Ex-Fort Dodge and Des Moines centercab #2254.
See also
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
