Douglas station (Wyoming) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad Passenger Depot
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The Douglas Interpretive Center in 2010
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 Location in Wyoming
Location in the United States
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| Location | 121 Brownfield Rd., Douglas, Wyoming |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1887 |
| Built by | Chicago & Northwestern Railroad |
| Architectural style | Late Victorian, Standardized railroad plans |
| NRHP reference No. | 94000741 |
| Added to NRHP | August 3, 1994 |
The Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad Passenger Depot is a historic train station in Douglas, Wyoming. It is also known as the Chicago and North Western Railway Passenger Depot. Today, it is called the Douglas Railroad Interpretive Center. This building was constructed in 1886. It served as a key stop for the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad (FE&MV).
When the depot was first built, Douglas was a new frontier town. The railroad made a careful investment in the station. After the depot opened, the town faced tough times. A serious illness spread, and there was a very harsh winter. Because of this, the railroad decided to extend its line to Casper. Douglas's population dropped from 1600 in 1886 to 900 by 1888.
However, Douglas grew again over time. By 1910, it had 2246 residents. It even became home to the Wyoming State Fair. The fair brought more train traffic to the area. In 1903, the FE&MV railroad joined with the Cheyenne and Northern Railway. Oil development began in 1905, and coal mining started in the 1950s. This led to more railway activity. The original depot was closed, and a larger one was built. In 1990, the city of Douglas bought the old depot.
Contents
What Does the Depot Look Like?
This old train station is a typical small railroad building. It is a rectangular wooden structure. It measures about 80 feet (24 meters) long and 26 feet (8 meters) wide. The building was made using a standard railroad design.
Special Features of the Building
Like most train stations, it has a special part that sticks out. This part is on the long side facing the tracks. It allowed the stationmaster to see trains coming and going. Inside, the depot has five main areas. These include a waiting room for passengers and an office. There are also bathrooms, a space for handling freight, and a storage area for goods. The original wooden details inside are still in good condition.
A Historic Landmark
The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 3, 1994. This means it is recognized as an important historic site. The city of Douglas has turned the depot into the Douglas Railroad Interpretive Center. It opened in 1995. Here, visitors can see old locomotives, train cars, and other railroad equipment.
Explore the Historic Trains!
The Douglas Railroad Interpretive Center displays several amazing old train cars. These exhibits help visitors understand railroad history. You can see different types of cars, from powerful steam engines to cozy sleeping cars.
| Train Type | Number | Built | Retired | Fun Facts |
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| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive | # 5633 | 1940 | 1962 | You cannot enter this locomotive. |
| This powerful steam engine was built in 1940. It was one of the last steam locomotives made for the Burlington railroad. It weighed 317 tons (288,000 kg). These engines were designed for fast freight and heavy passenger trains. | ||||
| Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) Dining Car | # 196 | 1947 | 1972 | Half kitchen, half dining room with 48 seats. |
| This dining car was built in 1947. It was called the "Silver Salver." It served meals on the Morning and Afternoon Zephyr trains. These trains traveled between Chicago and Minneapolis. | ||||
| Union Pacific Railroad Double Deck Stock Car | # 48330D | 1914 | 1964 | Modified in 1936. |
| Stock cars carried animals like pigs and sheep. This car has two floors inside. It was first built as a boxcar in 1914. It was later changed to a stock car. This meant removing some boards and adding the second floor. | ||||
| Great Northern Railway (GN) Sleeping Car | # 1182 | 1950 | 1972 | Has 20 compartments. |
| This sleeping car was built in 1950. It had 16 small rooms and 4 bedrooms. It was used on the "Western Star" train. This train traveled from Chicago to Seattle. It could carry 24 passengers. | ||||
| Union Pacific Railroad Baggage Car | # 1897 | 1911 | 1961 | Built to carry mail. |
| This car was built in 1911. It was used for mail, baggage, and fresh produce. It was part of the Union Pacific railroad system. | ||||
| Chicago & Northwestern Railway (C&NW) Steel Sheathed Wooden Day Coach | # 1886 | 1884 | 1961 | Seats 72 people. |
| This coach was built in 1884. It was part of a group of ten coaches. These were used on the "Cowboy Line" through Douglas. In 1915, it was updated with steel siding and electric lights. It served on several famous trains. | ||||
| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) Wooden Caboose | # 14140 | 1884 | 1958 | Office and living space for train crew. |
| This is the oldest train car on display. It was built in 1884. It cost $1023 to build. It was used as a caboose for freight trains. It was updated in 1912 with new brakes. It served as sleeping quarters for the train crew. | ||||
| Fairmont Motor Car | # 217980 | 1960? | Small, single-seater for track checks. | |
| This motor car was used for checking train tracks. It also carried workers. Motor cars were known as "track cars" or "speeders." They were slow, with a top speed of about 30 mph (48 kph). This is a small, single-seater model. Larger ones could hold many people. | ||||
Images for kids
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A close-up view of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) 4-8-4 Steam Locomotive #5633.
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The interior of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) Dining Car #196.
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The Union Pacific Railroad Double Deck Stock Car #48330D.
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The Great Northern Railway (GN) Sleeping Car #1182.
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The Union Pacific Railroad Baggage Car #1897.
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The Chicago & Northwestern Railway (C&NW) Steel Sheathed Wooden Day Coach #1886.
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The Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q) Wooden Caboose #14140.
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The Fairmont Motor Car #217980.
