Machine/Blacksmith Shop Restoration Nears Completion

Late in the fall of 2010 contractor Audino Construction started the refurbishment of the Machine/Blacksmith Shop. Another historical industrial building has been saved with help of grants from Federal and State agencies the Iowa State Transportation Enhancement Act and Vision Iowa providing the majority of the funding for this project. This structure during it's heyday was home to hundreds of skilled machinists, blacksmiths, welders, and pipfitters. Operating the largest and most sophisticated machinery in the tri-state area from the 1920's and into the 1950's . This building will find new life as an industrial display hall featuring industrial steam machines and other tools and machines used during this time frame. The staring exhibit will the 1911 St. Louis Corliss steam engine that we saved from the basement of the former Swift Pork Packing plant (KD Station) in the Sioux City Stockyards just days prior to it's demolition. The work accomplished by Audino Construction during the fall and winter has included; re-tuck pointing all the brick work, replacing the roof, removing the old rotted window frames and replaced them with all new windows, re-opened doors that that have been long covered and closed by concrete, and installed new freight doors at both ends of the building.

Future fund raising will be needed to accomplish repair of the floor, building the Corliss foundation and installation of electrical and HVAC. We are gradually winning the reclamation battle of this industrial complex and converting it into what will become a nationally recognized science and technology museum that all of Siouxland will be proud of.

The wheels of progress turn slowly but just like the great steam trains of the past we just keep chugging along. Come on out and check us out, you'll be glad you did. The Milwaukee Railroad Historic District; Where railroad history, science and technology are coupled together.

Vote daily for UP Excursion to Sioux City

Reminder, please be sure to vote for Sioux City as part of the Union Pacific Excursion program. The link is as follows:

http://x.up.com/6871

Vote for Sioux City and Live Steam

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You can help bring a live steam locomotive to Sioux City! That's right. See one of the the few remaining living, breathing, giants from the past. Right here in your very own backyard. The Union Pacific Railroad is asking YOU to vote for the next scheduled stops for it's two world famous steam excursion trains. Click on the banner above, watch the short video and VOTE FOR SIOUX CITY!

Vote once --- vote often -- JUST VOTE! This is one opportunity you really don't want to pass us by.

Schedule Sneak Peek for Halloween at the Roundhouse

Here's a special sneek peek at the schedule of events that we have planned. If you're looking for something fun to do as a family this is eactly what you're looking for. We hope to see you there!

You're Invited! Halloween at the Roundhouse

It's that time of the year again. The leaves are changing, the temperatures are dropping, and the days are growing shorter. YEEAAA! That can only mean one thing. Halloween at the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District is just around the corner. Save the date! This is an all out total family fun fest that you definitely do not want to miss. It's only 4 hours long! So come early and stay for the whole event, it will be over before you know it. And there is one thing for sure.... you'll be glad you did. There is more parking this year so bring your friends & neighbors we don't want anyone to miss out.

AG/RAIL 2010 REVIEW

Even with temperatures in the mid 90's and heat indexes reaching the low triple digits 2,400 visitors still came out and braved the heat and sun this year and had a wonderful time. Many of the people this year were new to the complex this year and were amased that a museum of this scale was being developed right here in Sioux City. Visitors were treated to home-made ice cream, a petting zoo, small engine displays, operating farm equipment, railroad displays, operating model railroads, live music that traveled about the complex, an antique tractor parade and tractor pull, kids activities, prizes and special visiotrs.

The newly completed Civil/Railroad Engineering Exhibit Hall was open to the public and a sneak peak of the HO scale Nebraska Central Railroad was an instant eye opener for everyone. "Stunning" and "remarkable" were the words heard most often by our volunteers. Also, history lessons and futrue plans for our 1911 St. Louis Corliss steam engine were provided in video displays and personel one-on-one conversations and tours.

Special guests were also on hand to entertain the crowds. Our Hobo actors did their best to "collect donations" and also held sing-alongs whether you wanted to participate or not (ha ha). Sir Topham Hat, Mr. Conductor, and Millie the Milwaukee Shops engine also made apperances and handed out Thomas the Tank Engine, Misty Island Rescue, activity books that were so generously donated by the Marcus Theaters Company.

44 volunteers lent their valuable time, talents and cheery dispositions to making this years AG?RAIL a success. Thank You to those that attended and those that helped out. Spread the news! Sioux City has a railroad museum in the making and will be a museum of national caliber and claim. A definite tourism draw and and economic boon to Sioux City, Riverside, North Sioux City and the Siouxland area in general.

AG/Rail 2010 - Make Your Plans to Attend

AG/RAIL 2010 is just around the corner and you sure don't want to miss out this year. Being highlighted this year is our new Civil/Railraod Engineering Dispay Hall which construction was just finished on in past couple weeks. The volunteers have been VERY busy and you'll be amazed at what you find inside. The signture display, the HO scale Nebraska Central Railroad is in place. Although not operational at this time the volunteers have been working tirelessly on making this presentalble for AG/RAIL. Although there is much to be done, you will be able to see the awesome potentail of this exhibit. When complete, it will help us to tell the story of railroad enginners and the the sciences behind building a railroad from the Plains to the Mountains. Along with this exhibit, a newly expanded and relocated childerens activty center will be in place. Bigger people mover trailers are being used this year to help transport people around the parking lots to the Main Entrance and within the complex itself. This should help with getting you around the 31 acre site a little eaier and quicker. Live music, antique tractors, an antique tractor pull (both days), tractor parade (both days), turntable demonstrations, farm diplays, railroad displays, operating model railroads and many special characters will be running around meeting and greeting the visitors. As aspecial treat (weather pemitting) On Sunday morning around 11 am we pull our pride and joy, steam locomotive Great Northern #1355 out of the roundhouse and display it on the turntable for all to enjoy and take pictures outside basking in the sunlight. This only happens a couple times a year so you diffenetly won't want to miss out.