Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad
Encyclopedia
The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad is a heritage railroad
in Boone County, Iowa
.
The railroad, an immediate success, has expanded regularly since its founding. The permanent station/museum/ticket office building features considerable parking areas for the busy summer season. The depot was dedicated in 1985.
In February 2002, UP donated 1.7 miles of the only remaining right-of-way from the FDDMS, and BSVY started to provide freight service.
One of the railroad's steam engines, former COER
CLC
2-8-0
#17, is most widely known for holding the historic title as the last operating common carrier steam locomotive in America. Purchased on February 9, 1987 it currently sits on display and is still painted with the CO&E's classic pyramid logo.
In the late 1980s the railroad also acquired one of the last new 2-8-2
Mikado steam locomotive
s built in China
($350,000). The locomotive powers the museum's 1920's excursion trains on Saturdays, Memorial Day Weekend through October 31.
In 2002 the BSVY acquired and restored an EMD FP9
, originally a Via Rail Canada passenger locomotive. Painted in Chicago and North Western Railway
inspired colors, she powers the BSVR dinner train.
The railroad also runs a short trolley ride and has even begun to do light freight switching at Boone industries in recent years. Its station is located just one block from the Union Pacific Railroad
mainline.
Heritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
in Boone County, Iowa
Boone County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 26,306 in the county, with a population density of . There were 11,756 housing units, of which 10,728 were occupied.-2000 census:...
.
History
The railroad was started in 1983 by a group of volunteers primarily to preserve a scenic section of the former Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad. The original track was built in the 1890s and electrified in 1907, closing in 1955. The Chicago & North Western (CNW) purchased the entire FDDMS in 1968 for $50,000. This stretch of track through the Des Moines River valley includes a beautiful high bridge. It runs approximately twelve miles from Boone through the small town of Fraser and ends at the site of the former town of Wolf.The railroad, an immediate success, has expanded regularly since its founding. The permanent station/museum/ticket office building features considerable parking areas for the busy summer season. The depot was dedicated in 1985.
In February 2002, UP donated 1.7 miles of the only remaining right-of-way from the FDDMS, and BSVY started to provide freight service.
Collection
The railroad owns numerous locomotives and dozens of cars.One of the railroad's steam engines, former COER
Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad
The Crab Orchard and Egyptian Railroad is a Class III common carrier shortline railroad that operates between the cities of Marion and Herrin in the Southern Illinois region. It is most historically recognized by the FRA for being the last U.S...
CLC
Canadian Locomotive Company
The Canadian Locomotive Company, commonly referred to as CLC, was a Canadian manufacturer of railway locomotives located in Kingston, Ontario. Its works were located on Ontario Street and Gore Street on Kingston's waterfront....
2-8-0
2-8-0
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-0 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and no trailing wheels...
#17, is most widely known for holding the historic title as the last operating common carrier steam locomotive in America. Purchased on February 9, 1987 it currently sits on display and is still painted with the CO&E's classic pyramid logo.
In the late 1980s the railroad also acquired one of the last new 2-8-2
2-8-2
Under the Whyte notation for the classification of steam locomotives, 2-8-2 represents the wheel arrangement of two leading wheels on one axle , eight powered and coupled driving wheels on four axles, and two trailing wheels on one axle...
Mikado steam locomotive
Steam locomotive
A steam locomotive is a railway locomotive that produces its power through a steam engine. These locomotives are fueled by burning some combustible material, usually coal, wood or oil, to produce steam in a boiler, which drives the steam engine...
s built in China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
($350,000). The locomotive powers the museum's 1920's excursion trains on Saturdays, Memorial Day Weekend through October 31.
In 2002 the BSVY acquired and restored an EMD FP9
EMD FP9
The EMD FP9 was a , B-B dual-service passenger and freight-hauling diesel locomotive produced between February 1954 and December 1959 by General Motors Electro-Motive Division, and General Motors Diesel. Final assembly was at GM-EMD's La Grange, Illinois plant, except for Canadian orders, which...
, originally a Via Rail Canada passenger locomotive. Painted in Chicago and North Western Railway
Chicago and North Western Railway
The Chicago and North Western Transportation Company was a Class I railroad in the Midwest United States. It was also known as the North Western. The railroad operated more than of track as of the turn of the 20th century, and over of track in seven states before retrenchment in the late 1970s...
inspired colors, she powers the BSVR dinner train.
The railroad also runs a short trolley ride and has even begun to do light freight switching at Boone industries in recent years. Its station is located just one block from the Union Pacific Railroad
Union Pacific Railroad
The Union Pacific Railroad , headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is the largest railroad network in the United States. James R. Young is president, CEO and Chairman....
mainline.