Headin' home

June 15th. Arrived back in Santa Fe and was home for three hours when I handed Micki an anniversary card and asked if the flowers arrived. She said “If you ordered them for our anniversary that’s tomorrow.” Somehow the magic of the Minnesota rain, miles of Nebraska corn, and the Red Candy Caboose Time Machine warped me back one day.
TRINIDAD… My last museum visit was in Trinidad, CO. I met one of the docents, but missed Paula Manini the director. I’m looking forward to getting Trinidad added to the RCC program. Trinidad was the showdown location between Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe RR and the Rio Grande RR. Both railroads were fighting to be the first RR into New Mexico. The Territorial Legislature of New Mexico had proclaimed that which ever RR got into NM first got the exclusive right to pass through the territory. It became known as “The Railroad War.” ATSF even brought in Bat Masterson and a hundred gun slingers to guard their work crews. When the folks in Trinidad learned of the Rio Grande’s plan to bypass Trinidad in order to save time and money, they quickly jumped into action and personally led the ATSF team up the mountain to Uncle Dick Wooten’s cabin and convinced Uncle Dick to give the ATSF the right-of-way to come through his narrow pass. So, Trinidad is rich in railroad history and played an important part in building today’s transportation foundation in the west.
PUEBLO, CO… Southeastern Colorado Heritage Center. It was probably about 1989 when I last drove through the city of Pueblo. At one time it had been a major manufacturing and foundry town. When I visited the city during the 80’s it was sad to see the once beautiful brick and stone buildings waiting to meet the wrecking ball. Since then I’ve passed the city a few times on I-25 freeway, but never stopped. I still held the sadness in my memory from my earlier visits. But, my handy-dandy train manual proclaimed a museum along with cabooses and some interesting engines. What a great surprise to find the city had the wisdom to rejuvenate the old rail yard district. Pueblo is no longer a place to whiz by in route to other points of interest. Pueblo has become a destination location. A beautiful river walk, museum, historic buildings, and a fabulous Union Depot all provide the frame work to entice families to come and enjoy the beauty.
WINDSOR, CO…. It wasn’t on my preferred route, but I made a side trip to Windsor. My train guide book had the magic word “Caboose” in it. Windsor is a beautiful northern, Colorado town that sits near the edge of a small lake. The train tracks pass through the back side of most of the businesses and the town has built a small historic village between the tracks and the lake. The village is complete with an old depot and of course the promised caboose. Unfortunately, it looks like you are supposed to wander around and peek through the windows and perhaps make up your own version of what it’s all about. A sign on the door gave a phone number for additional information. I called the number and got a recording that said to call yet another number. I took a pass on that one. Hopefully in the future the town can round up a few history buffs and complete the task of their heritage museum.
STERLING, CO…. The Overland Trail Museum. I passed through Sterling as I came in from Nebraska. My train book made no mention of a museum in Sterling, but I thought it might be a good place to gas up. I pulled into the station and thought my eyes were playing tricks on me. I put my reading glasses on and took a closer look. It was true almost $3 per gallon. I pulled out without getting gas and noticed across the street was a museum, complete with a fabulous red caboose. Sterling needs to do more with their marketing. I had never heard of the town or the museum. It is first rate and a place you could hang out for an entire day; just don’t plan on buying gas there.
KEARNEY, NE…. You’ve got to be determined in your caboose hunting if you include Kearney, Nebraska. Once you get there you will find they have done an excellent job with their caboose and train displays as well as provide other historic buildings on the property. The location feels like a residential neighborhood and not a place you would easily swing into from the freeway. Driving time from the freeway is under five minutes and well worth the effort.
GRAND ISLAND, NE…. You want to see what big bucks can do? Stop at the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer. Beautiful modern buildings, ponds, parks, endless displays, gift shop and a static train display. Obviously they had a lot of money to work with. It reminds of one of those places where the family goes two or three times a year, takes a picnic lunch and spends the day. You might do the same.
FREMONT, NE…. Fremont & Elkhorn Valley RR. Unlike the Stuhr Musem, these folks do it the hard way. Lots of volunteers and dedicated ole’ timers keep the 16 mile train running. Nothing fancy, but they are a local favorite and do a great job making the dollar stretch. I couldn’t help but wonder if a good marketing directory couldn’t turn this into one of the area’s premier attractions. (They need a Gene Short)