The Edna M. Groetken Gift Shop Gallery in the new bay 1 area of the roundhouse building was officially opened during the sixth annual Ag-Rail Heritage Festival held during Saturday and Sunday, August 16 and 17, 2008.
The new gift shop area, named for the longtime Sioux City resident, is an area where visitors can purchase gift and souvenir items, including railroad books, as a token of remembering their visit to the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District, or to continue their learning experience about the railroad industry through the books and educational toys available in the gift shop. The new gift shop area is furnished with glass display cases donated by the Sioux City Public Museum and display gondolas and racks purchased during the closing sale of Linen and Things in Sioux City.
Miss Groetken passed away Monday, May 7, 2007, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She bequeathed nearly $125,000 to the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association for construction work to preserve and rebuild the roundhouse building. The gift from Ms. Groetken was the largest bequeath in the SHRA’s history. “We are incredibly grateful,” stated Jon Wagoner, SHRA president, “for the untold benefits countless visitors and local residents will receive from the remarkable generosity of Miss Groetken, not to mention the ripple effect this contribution will make in preserving the Milwaukee Railroad Shops for current and future generations to enjoy as a railroad industrial science and heritage museum.”
Her bequest was used to help finance the construction of the bay 1, a two-level area of the roundhouse building that houses the gift shop gallery, atrium welcome center, exhibit gallery and administrative center. The costs associated with this project were approximately $450,000. Her bequest helped match the federal/statewide transportation grant of $266,762.
Miss Groetken served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following her military service, she worked as a secretary in several Sioux City medical offices. She was an active volunteer with the Sioux City Police Department, where she helped in the investigative department working with fingerprinting. She was one of the Police Department’s first civilian volunteers.
She was a life member of the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 of Le Mars and was the first female state commander of the American Legion of Iowa. She also was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Miss Groetken was often a visitor to the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. She had fond memories of trains traveling through the Le Mars area and Sioux City.
A periodic look at the progress and events taking place at the Milwaukee Railroad Shops in Sioux City, Iowa
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Railroad museum offers extended summer hours
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District, a regional historic site and museum focusing on railroad history and science, is offering extended summer hours during the months of June, July, and August. For this three-month period, the railroad museum shop will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and Noon to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Admission to the railroad museum is $4.00 for adults; $3.00 for senior citizens (age 50 and older); $2.00 for children and students (age 6 to 18); and free for children under age 5 accompanied by an adult. A portion of the admission fee that is collected is earmarked for historic preservation work on the buildings, locomotives, rolling stock and artifact that form the railroad museum’s collections and exhibits.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District features an excellent collection of historic steam locomotive-era buildings dating from 1917. This historic collection features a restored roundhouse with turntable, machine shop building, carpenter shop, sand drying house, and wood sand tower. The historic district is home to the National Register-listed steam locomotive Great Northern Railway No. 1355, a Pacific-style 4-6-2 wheel arrangement passenger train locomotive.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is located along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, State Highway 12, in the north Riverside neighborhood of Sioux City. For more information visit the railroad museums website at MilwaukeeRailroadShops.org or call 712-233-6996.
Admission to the railroad museum is $4.00 for adults; $3.00 for senior citizens (age 50 and older); $2.00 for children and students (age 6 to 18); and free for children under age 5 accompanied by an adult. A portion of the admission fee that is collected is earmarked for historic preservation work on the buildings, locomotives, rolling stock and artifact that form the railroad museum’s collections and exhibits.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District features an excellent collection of historic steam locomotive-era buildings dating from 1917. This historic collection features a restored roundhouse with turntable, machine shop building, carpenter shop, sand drying house, and wood sand tower. The historic district is home to the National Register-listed steam locomotive Great Northern Railway No. 1355, a Pacific-style 4-6-2 wheel arrangement passenger train locomotive.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is located along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, State Highway 12, in the north Riverside neighborhood of Sioux City. For more information visit the railroad museums website at MilwaukeeRailroadShops.org or call 712-233-6996.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
SHRA will implement admission fee at the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District, a railroad museum development project of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association (SHRA), will implement an admission fee to assist with operating costs and financing the reconstruction of the historic buildings.
Jon Wagoner, SHRA president, said the $4.00 admission for adults will start Saturday, May 30, and that reduced admission will be given to seniors, students, and children. The admission fee will be collected through an honor vault system where visitors deposit their admission in a locked, secure collection vault. “We are adopting one of the methods used by the National Park Service to collect admissions,” said Wagoner. “The payment of the admission will be totally on the honor of the visitor; we will not have a volunteer gatekeeper for collecting the admission.”
The American Association of Museums reported in its most recent museum financial information report that, nationally, the average adult admission fee is $6 for museums and $5 for historic sites. Wagoner stated that last year, the SHRA surveyed visitors and the vast majority of visitors supported the enacting of an admission fee to help support the Milwaukee Railroad Shops redevelopment as a railroad museum.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops, which is home to the recently restored Great Northern Railway steam locomotive and other railroad artifacts, is undergoing a decade-long historic preservation effort. This summer’s historic preservation work will include the construction of a new exhibit building for a model railroad display to interpret civil engineering; the installation of a “green” pre-manufactured bathroom facility; and the reconstruction of the machine shop building for the display of the large Corliss Stationary Steam Engine that will be salvaged from the KD Station.
“We’re looking at over $1-million in site improvements within the next two years,” Wagoner said. “While the vast majority of the funding is through competitive federal and state grants, we still have a need to raise local matching funds in order for us to secure the grant funds.”
Wagoner states that the admission fee enables the SHRA to meet the requirements of the grants. “When we submit our funding requests, sustainability is a major issue we address, in addition to how we will pay ongoing operating costs,” said Wagoner. “Many of the funding agencies have requested we initiate an admission fee because we receive no ongoing public funds (city or state) for operational costs. They have also suggested that we bank a portion of the admission fee in an endowment fund targeted for future building renovation work.”
Wagoner doesn’t feel the admission fee will hurt attendance, which grew to nearly 10,000 people last year. “Most of our visitors have been amazed that we’re not collecting an admission,” said Wagoner. “Many visitors felt the admission fee was a way they can contribute to the preservation of this unique historical treasure.”
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is open to the public for tours on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. The historic district is located at 3400 Sioux River Road, State Highway 12, adjacent to the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway and the Big Sioux River.
Built in 1917, the Milwaukee Railroad Shops originally served as a steam locomotive servicing terminal and rail car repair facility. At its peak of operations, the Milwaukee Railroad Shops employed over 500 railroad craft workers in the trades of boiler maker, steamfitter, machinists, and several other occupations. The facility, on average, repaired and serviced 850 steam locomotives a month for the Sioux City and Dakota division of the Milwaukee Road. The shops were abandoned in 1980 and sold to a salvage yard operation. The Siouxland Historical Railroad Association purchased the complex in 1996 and began the railroad museum development project. The Milwaukee Railroad Shops are determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and are designated an official project of the federal Save America’s Treasures Program. The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is home to Sioux City’s recently-restored landmark steam locomotive, Great Northern Railway No. 1355 – Ironhorse.
Jon Wagoner, SHRA president, said the $4.00 admission for adults will start Saturday, May 30, and that reduced admission will be given to seniors, students, and children. The admission fee will be collected through an honor vault system where visitors deposit their admission in a locked, secure collection vault. “We are adopting one of the methods used by the National Park Service to collect admissions,” said Wagoner. “The payment of the admission will be totally on the honor of the visitor; we will not have a volunteer gatekeeper for collecting the admission.”
The American Association of Museums reported in its most recent museum financial information report that, nationally, the average adult admission fee is $6 for museums and $5 for historic sites. Wagoner stated that last year, the SHRA surveyed visitors and the vast majority of visitors supported the enacting of an admission fee to help support the Milwaukee Railroad Shops redevelopment as a railroad museum.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops, which is home to the recently restored Great Northern Railway steam locomotive and other railroad artifacts, is undergoing a decade-long historic preservation effort. This summer’s historic preservation work will include the construction of a new exhibit building for a model railroad display to interpret civil engineering; the installation of a “green” pre-manufactured bathroom facility; and the reconstruction of the machine shop building for the display of the large Corliss Stationary Steam Engine that will be salvaged from the KD Station.
“We’re looking at over $1-million in site improvements within the next two years,” Wagoner said. “While the vast majority of the funding is through competitive federal and state grants, we still have a need to raise local matching funds in order for us to secure the grant funds.”
Wagoner states that the admission fee enables the SHRA to meet the requirements of the grants. “When we submit our funding requests, sustainability is a major issue we address, in addition to how we will pay ongoing operating costs,” said Wagoner. “Many of the funding agencies have requested we initiate an admission fee because we receive no ongoing public funds (city or state) for operational costs. They have also suggested that we bank a portion of the admission fee in an endowment fund targeted for future building renovation work.”
Wagoner doesn’t feel the admission fee will hurt attendance, which grew to nearly 10,000 people last year. “Most of our visitors have been amazed that we’re not collecting an admission,” said Wagoner. “Many visitors felt the admission fee was a way they can contribute to the preservation of this unique historical treasure.”
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is open to the public for tours on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting. The historic district is located at 3400 Sioux River Road, State Highway 12, adjacent to the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway and the Big Sioux River.
Built in 1917, the Milwaukee Railroad Shops originally served as a steam locomotive servicing terminal and rail car repair facility. At its peak of operations, the Milwaukee Railroad Shops employed over 500 railroad craft workers in the trades of boiler maker, steamfitter, machinists, and several other occupations. The facility, on average, repaired and serviced 850 steam locomotives a month for the Sioux City and Dakota division of the Milwaukee Road. The shops were abandoned in 1980 and sold to a salvage yard operation. The Siouxland Historical Railroad Association purchased the complex in 1996 and began the railroad museum development project. The Milwaukee Railroad Shops are determined eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places and are designated an official project of the federal Save America’s Treasures Program. The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is home to Sioux City’s recently-restored landmark steam locomotive, Great Northern Railway No. 1355 – Ironhorse.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
GN1355 displayed to the public to kick off historic preservation week
After twenty-five years of restoration work, Great Northern Railway Steam Locomotive No. 1355 was displayed outdoors on Saturday, May 2, 2009, to kick off historic preservation week in Sioux City. This public display was significant as it marked the "near completion" of this historic preservation project. The locomotive's cosmetic and basic mechanical restoration is 99 percent complete with some minor details to be completed by October 16, 2009. In making its public appearance, the locomotive sported its heritage "Glacier Green" paint scheme and graphics. Over 500 visitors took advantage of the sunny Saturday to stop by the Milwaukee Railroad Shops to see the locomotive. The attached photo is illustrative of the grounds that formed around the locomotive through out the day.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Historic steam locomotive debute kicks off city-wide historic preservation week celebration
Sioux City, IA – After twenty-five years of pain-staking historic preservation work and a lot of passion and tenacity, Sioux City’s landmark steam locomotive No. 1355 will be the highlight of a public display at the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District this Saturday, May 2, 2009. The outdoor public display, celebrating historic preservation work, is in conjunction with the city-wide Historic Preservation Week celebration and will run from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
“We are proud to finally have the opportunity to say the restoration of Sioux City’s landmark steam locomotive is nearly complete,” said Jon Wagoner, president of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association. “With the restoration effort, 98 percent complete except for some minor details, we are excited to have this opportunity to formally return this locomotive back to its role as a historic landmark for our community.”
The locomotive sports the Great Northern Railway heritage paint scheme known as Glacier Green. The unique paint scheme incorporates graphic elements such as a green-painted boiler, black-painted cab trimmed with a red roof, and a graphite-color smoke box. The locomotive features a white lettering style with the railroad’s heritage logo. This historic paint scheme was applied to locomotives that were used in passenger service pulling trains to Glacier National Park.
In addition to the graphic designs, the steam locomotive also sports a restored headlight, bell, whistle, and classification lights. The interior of the cab is also restored with many of the old gauges and valves that were used to measure steam pressure and water levels in the boiler.
Steam Locomotive No. 1355, also known as “Ironhorse,” is returning to public display after a twenty-five year extensive overhaul of the locomotive’s mechanical parts and interior boiler. The overhaul began in 1984, when the locomotive was removed from public display next to the Municipal Auditorium. The locomotive was donated to the City of Sioux City in 1955 for display as a landmark acknowledging the community’s railroad heritage. The outdoor display lasted twenty-nine years, causing major deterioration to the iron and steel the locomotive is built out of. The weather also damaged the interior firebox, boiler tubes and steam cylinders due to water seeping into the internal chambers. The overhaul involved hundreds of thousands of volunteer labor, and included extensive overhauls of the firebox, steam appliances, and steam chest, as well as the replacement of stay rods, boiler tubes, outer boiler jacketing, and steam and electrical piping. The locomotive’s tender was completely rebuilt as well.
Originally a high-speed passenger locomotive, the steam locomotive was built for the Great Northern Railway in 1909 and rebuilt in 1924. The locomotive pulled such widely known trains as the Pacific Fast Mail, Oriental Limited, and Empire Builder. The locomotive was also used in the later years of steam to pull freight trains and ore trains in the Iron Range. The locomotive’s train service ended in 1955 when it was donated to the City of Sioux City.
The steam locomotive is listed nationally-significant on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated an official project of the federal Save America’s Treasures program for its industrial heritage and technology. The steam locomotive will be permanently displayed in the roundhouse building at the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. The public will be able to have access to the locomotive during the railroad museum’s normal operating hours. Special stairs have been built to allow the public access.
In addition to the steam locomotive’s public display, the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association will be offering guided and self-guided tours of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District, motor cars rides, and displays of railroad artifacts. Volunteers will be on hand to discuss the upcoming historic preservation projects scheduled to begin mid-summer, including the rebuilding of the machine shop building. Dr. Daniels’ new book on Sioux City railroad history will be available for purchase in the historic district’s gift shop.
The locomotive display will also commemorate the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association’s 25th anniversary. The organization was founded in 1984 by the late railroad conductor, Larry Obermeyer, and group of volunteer community members who saw a need to preserve and promote the preservation of railroad history. On Saturday, the public will have the opportunity to meet and greet volunteers who have labored tirelessly over the years to reclaim the Milwaukee Railroad Shops from being a dilapidated junk yard to the park-like historic district it is today. Wagoner points out that there are several volunteers who have been with the organization for the full 25 years. He estimates over the 25 years that a hundred volunteers have collectively contributed over 250,000 hours of labor. “It’s not uncommon for many of our volunteers to devote more than 10 hours a week to our projects,” adds Wagoner.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is located along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, State Highway 12, in the north Riverside neighborhood of Sioux City. The historic district is located between the Big Sioux River and the Loess Hills Bluffs, approximately 2 miles south of Stone State Park.
“We are proud to finally have the opportunity to say the restoration of Sioux City’s landmark steam locomotive is nearly complete,” said Jon Wagoner, president of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association. “With the restoration effort, 98 percent complete except for some minor details, we are excited to have this opportunity to formally return this locomotive back to its role as a historic landmark for our community.”
The locomotive sports the Great Northern Railway heritage paint scheme known as Glacier Green. The unique paint scheme incorporates graphic elements such as a green-painted boiler, black-painted cab trimmed with a red roof, and a graphite-color smoke box. The locomotive features a white lettering style with the railroad’s heritage logo. This historic paint scheme was applied to locomotives that were used in passenger service pulling trains to Glacier National Park.
In addition to the graphic designs, the steam locomotive also sports a restored headlight, bell, whistle, and classification lights. The interior of the cab is also restored with many of the old gauges and valves that were used to measure steam pressure and water levels in the boiler.
Steam Locomotive No. 1355, also known as “Ironhorse,” is returning to public display after a twenty-five year extensive overhaul of the locomotive’s mechanical parts and interior boiler. The overhaul began in 1984, when the locomotive was removed from public display next to the Municipal Auditorium. The locomotive was donated to the City of Sioux City in 1955 for display as a landmark acknowledging the community’s railroad heritage. The outdoor display lasted twenty-nine years, causing major deterioration to the iron and steel the locomotive is built out of. The weather also damaged the interior firebox, boiler tubes and steam cylinders due to water seeping into the internal chambers. The overhaul involved hundreds of thousands of volunteer labor, and included extensive overhauls of the firebox, steam appliances, and steam chest, as well as the replacement of stay rods, boiler tubes, outer boiler jacketing, and steam and electrical piping. The locomotive’s tender was completely rebuilt as well.
Originally a high-speed passenger locomotive, the steam locomotive was built for the Great Northern Railway in 1909 and rebuilt in 1924. The locomotive pulled such widely known trains as the Pacific Fast Mail, Oriental Limited, and Empire Builder. The locomotive was also used in the later years of steam to pull freight trains and ore trains in the Iron Range. The locomotive’s train service ended in 1955 when it was donated to the City of Sioux City.
The steam locomotive is listed nationally-significant on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated an official project of the federal Save America’s Treasures program for its industrial heritage and technology. The steam locomotive will be permanently displayed in the roundhouse building at the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. The public will be able to have access to the locomotive during the railroad museum’s normal operating hours. Special stairs have been built to allow the public access.
In addition to the steam locomotive’s public display, the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association will be offering guided and self-guided tours of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District, motor cars rides, and displays of railroad artifacts. Volunteers will be on hand to discuss the upcoming historic preservation projects scheduled to begin mid-summer, including the rebuilding of the machine shop building. Dr. Daniels’ new book on Sioux City railroad history will be available for purchase in the historic district’s gift shop.
The locomotive display will also commemorate the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association’s 25th anniversary. The organization was founded in 1984 by the late railroad conductor, Larry Obermeyer, and group of volunteer community members who saw a need to preserve and promote the preservation of railroad history. On Saturday, the public will have the opportunity to meet and greet volunteers who have labored tirelessly over the years to reclaim the Milwaukee Railroad Shops from being a dilapidated junk yard to the park-like historic district it is today. Wagoner points out that there are several volunteers who have been with the organization for the full 25 years. He estimates over the 25 years that a hundred volunteers have collectively contributed over 250,000 hours of labor. “It’s not uncommon for many of our volunteers to devote more than 10 hours a week to our projects,” adds Wagoner.
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is located along the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, State Highway 12, in the north Riverside neighborhood of Sioux City. The historic district is located between the Big Sioux River and the Loess Hills Bluffs, approximately 2 miles south of Stone State Park.
Monday, April 13, 2009
RML Architects selected for design and engineering work
The City Council for the City of Sioux City last week approved awarding a contract to RML Architects for design and engineering work for the new model railroad/civil engineering exhibit building and the rehabilitation of the machine shop building. The scope of work involves the design of the new building that will be constructed for the displaying of the Nebraska Centeral Railway exhibit and related civil engineering artifacts. RML Architects will sketch out the construction documents and blueprints that will govern the historic preservation work on the machine shop building. This building will undergo a complete rehabilitation to the building envelope that includes the reconstruction of the roof, windows, and doors. Other historic preservation work will center on tuckpointing the brick masonry. A ground breaking for this next phase of historic preservation work is scheduled for Friday, May 1, 2009 at 2:00 p.m.
RML Architects has previously performed design and engineering work on the roundhouse building and wood sand tower. The firm has also helped with the development of the overall site redevelopment plan. The City of Sioux City serves as the project's public sponsor and fiscal agent.
Major funding for the historic preservation work and new building construction is provided by competitive grants awarded through the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation; Vision Iowa Community Attractions and Tourism Program administered by the Iowa Department of Economic Development; State Historic Sites Preservation Grant Program administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Economic Development Grant Program administered by the Loess Hills Alliance. Other funding is provided by individual and corporate contributions, as well as special grants awarded by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors and the City of Sioux City.
RML Architects has previously performed design and engineering work on the roundhouse building and wood sand tower. The firm has also helped with the development of the overall site redevelopment plan. The City of Sioux City serves as the project's public sponsor and fiscal agent.
Major funding for the historic preservation work and new building construction is provided by competitive grants awarded through the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program administered by the Iowa Department of Transportation; Vision Iowa Community Attractions and Tourism Program administered by the Iowa Department of Economic Development; State Historic Sites Preservation Grant Program administered by the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Economic Development Grant Program administered by the Loess Hills Alliance. Other funding is provided by individual and corporate contributions, as well as special grants awarded by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors and the City of Sioux City.
Volunteers enroll in SHRA training program
Two volunteers have enrolled in the locomotive and train service training program provided by the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association. Odell Overgaard and Shawn Sypersma began their training on Saturday, 11 April 2009, with an introduction to safety rules, hand signals and locomotive operations, including coupling to and pulling freight cars and cabooses. The two students were able to operate the SHRA's GE 45-ton diesel locomotive. The training was conducted under the supervision of Matt Merk and Ken Brown, SHRA training instructors. As part of their training program, both Odell and Shawn will receive training on motor car operations. The students also receive training in book of rules and general operating rules.
Once Odell and Shawn complete their training they will be able to serve as engineers and trainmen within the railyard of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. Train service personnel are responsible for the movement of locomotives and rolling stock within the historic district. Most often they are engaged with moving locomotive and rolling stock in and out of the roundhouse building for either exhibition or exhibit work. Train service personnel are also responsible for the operation of the motor car excursion ride.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering in train service, please contact the SHRA via e-mail: shra@cableone.net with the subject line: interested in train service.
Once Odell and Shawn complete their training they will be able to serve as engineers and trainmen within the railyard of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. Train service personnel are responsible for the movement of locomotives and rolling stock within the historic district. Most often they are engaged with moving locomotive and rolling stock in and out of the roundhouse building for either exhibition or exhibit work. Train service personnel are also responsible for the operation of the motor car excursion ride.
If you are interested in learning more about volunteering in train service, please contact the SHRA via e-mail: shra@cableone.net with the subject line: interested in train service.
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