BOONE — The cry of the steam locomotive’s whistle, and the clang of the trolley’s bell will be heard in Boone this Saturday as the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & The James H. Andrew Railroad Museum kick off their full 2017 schedule.
In addition to daily excursion train rides at 1:30 p.m. (plus 4 p.m. on Saturdays), the railroad offers dinner, dessert, picnic trains, group charters and a 9,000 square foot railroad museum now featuring a new “Streamliners Through Iowa” exhibit.
This year, a new event aims to celebrate the line’s electric heritage. “Electric Weekend,” June 3-4, will feature two operating electric railcars: the railroad’s popular Charles City Western Car 50, and Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Car 106. Other pieces of electric railway equipment will be on display as well, including the railroad’s newest acquisition, Iowa Traction #53, an electric locomotive which, for several decades, called Mason City home. Also on hand will be a set of Illinois Central “Highliner” cars used in commuter service in Chicago. The railroad’s collection of electrical equipment represents a period of 99 years of electric rail service across Iowa and the Midwest.
Throughout the year, look for other family favorites to return, including: Day Out With Thomas, Pumpkin Express trains, and Santa Express trains.
For more information on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad & Museum's train rides and museum tours call 1-800-626-0319, email info@bsvrr.com, or visit www.bsvrr.com.
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a division of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society, a nonprofit, operating railroad museum.