National Train Day, Saturday May 11th, 2013

The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District and Railroad Museum will be combining two events into one spectacular day. We are the feature attraction closing up a week-long celebration as Sioux Cities Historic Preservation Week wraps up and we are once again joining the nationwide celebration of National Train Day.

National Train Day marks the 144th anniversary of the creation of the nation's first transcontinental railroad. On May 10, 1869, in Promontory Summit, Utah, the 'golden spike' was driven into the final tie that joined 1,776 miles of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railways, forever transforming the face and character of America.  Special celebrations have been planned by Amtrak at many of its stations across the country as well as hundreds of additional railroad focused museums, tourism trains and historic sights.   We are also lucky enough to be celebrating Sioux City Historic Preservation Week at the same time.

Things to see and do!

·         Hours: 10 am – 4 pm

·         Admission: FREE 

·         Motor Car Rides: $2 each for kids all the way up to 105 years old                                          

·         1:30 PM in the south end of the Machine/Blacksmith Shop - Dr. Rudy Daniels will be giving a talk about the Railway Postal Service.

·         Popcorn and refreshments for purchase

·         Try our self-guided walking tour book for an in-depth look around the complex. Cost is only $3 and $1 of each book sold goes directly to the building restoration fund

We have A LOT of construction projects scheduled for this summer and fall. This will be a great time to see some “before” looks of some our buildings before the construction. Then, you will really be able to appreciate the “after” looks you’ll see next year. Here’s a teaser for this year’s construction plans:

·         Build brand new restroom facilities.

·         Restore the Engineers Tool Shed and convert it into our permanent entrance/visitor center.

·         Restore the Car Shops Building and begin the conversion into a Railway Marketing Display hall and rental space for parties, meetings and family get togethers.

·         Restore the south end Water Closet building and conversion to a storage room.

·         Restore the Sand Drying House and begin conversion into a multimedia theater and rental facility for business/community meetings, lectures, weddings, etc..