Railroad Caboose Museum

Marshall County
Railroad Historical Society
Box 242 .:. Waterville, KS 66548

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT:

For more information on Marshall County Railroad Historical Society check out our website: centralbranchrailroad.org
________________________________________________________________________________________________ Upon realizing that the historic tracks of the Central Pacific Railroad from 12th road in Marshall County, Kansas to the Marshall/Washington county line were to be abandoned by the Union Pacific Railroad in 2000, a group of concerned citizens and railroad enthusiasts immediately commence with the process of delaying that action in an attempt to preserve these historic tracks and, in doing so, preserve railroad history in Waterville and Blue Rapids, Kansas, Marshall County and the State of Kansas. The Society was established as a nonprofit organization and raised the necessary funds in 7 days to stop the abandonment. The Society became owners of 11.89 miles of Central Branch railroad track in 2001.

The following action plan was designed by the Society and encompasses the overall plan and/or project:

1. To acquire rail qualifying for abandonment for the preservation of our railroad history.

2. To allow small communities to cultivate their history and provide tourism attractions to stay alive and viable.

3. To provide an educational experience for young people not familiar with railroads and their history. The Society's goal is to purchase a caboose to be renovated into a railroad museum open to the local public, young and old, and tourists/visitors to learn of and appreciate railroad history in Marshall County and the State of Kansas.

4. To assist area communities in promoting events and attractions providing cultural and social opportunities with the availability of a quaint caboose museum and eventually opportunities from Waterville to Alcove Spring, a national historic sight along the Oregon Trail in Blue Rapids, Kansas.

5. To acquire rolling stock, to include a diesel engine, to provide picturesque excursion rides for tourists while enjoying commentary on the history of railroading.

Preservation of this historic rail, one of the oldest tracks dating back to 1867, will offer an educational opportunity for area and state residents, as well as, nation-wide tourists. In addition, renovation of the vintage caboose, rolling stock, into a railroad museum will offer interested tourists and railroad enthusiasts an on-hands experience of railroad history.

SPECIFIC PROJECT DETAILS:

To achieve goal #2, the Society purchased a 1925 Union Pacific caboose in 2005 for the purpose of providing a unique railroad museum as an attraction for visitors and tourists to our area. The cost of the caboose was $15,000. After negotiating a down payment of $1,000, the gentleman from whom we purchased the caboose allowed the Society 12 months to complete the transaction. This letter of Inquiry is for grant funding to assist the Society in meeting that obligation Since the purchase, Society members, as well as, interested local citizens and youth group have renovated the caboose into a railroad museum as envisioned. Since the completion of the renovation, the caboose has been open for visitors and tourists for local and area wide events. Those events include:

1. The annual two-day Victorian Days celebration in Waterville, Kansas.

2. The annual Nickel Day/Memorial Weekend celebration in Waterville, Kansas.

3. Organized tours of Waterville and surrounding areas advertised statewide.

4. Organized area wide Harley Davidson biker rides.

5. Family reunions and/or Red Hat Ladies Rendezvous.

6. Events corresponding with the renovation of the historic Weaver Hotel in Waterville advertised throughout Northeast Kansas.

In addition, this caboose museum will be a positive addition to the already popular historical attractions and events in Northeast Kansas and the State of Kansas. Those being:

1. Alcove Spring and Independence Crossing along the historic Oregon Trail - Blue Rapids, Kan.

2. The original Pony Express Museum - Marysville, Kan.

3. The Hollenburg Pony Express Station - Hanover, Kan.

4. The Koester House Museum - Marysville, Kan.

5. The Otoe Indian Museum - Oketo, Kan.

CENTRAL BRANCH UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD

The main line of this road extends from Atchison, Kan. to Waterville, Kan., 100 miles. The Atchison, Colorado & Pacific Branch runs from Waterville to Lenora, Kan. 191.9 miles; Greenleaf, Kan. to Washington, Kan. 7 miles; Downs to Bull's City, 23.6 miles; Yuma to Talmage, 29.8 miles; total 252.3 miles. The Atchison, Jewell County & Western road extends from Jamestown to Burr Oak, 38.8 miles. The total length of lines operated by the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad, June 1, 1882, amounted to 386.1 miles.

The original company was organized as the Atchison & Pike's Peak Railroad Company, February 11, 1859; opened to Waterville January 20, 1868. It was provided for as one of the branches in the acts incorporating the Union Pacific Railway Company, and received from the Government 187,608 acres of land, and bonds at the rate of $16,000 per mile for the 100 miles. The road practically belongs to the Union Pacific Railway Company. It is operated by the Missouri Pacific Railway Company, which accounts to the Union Pacific Railway Company for the earnings of the road.

Atchison, Colorado & Pacific. - This company was formed by the consolidation, in 1878, of the Waterville & Washington Railroad, Atchison, Republican Valley & Pacific Railroad, Atchison, Solomon Valley & Denver Railroad, and Republican Valley Railroad. It was leased to the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad Company for interest on its funded debt.

Atchison, Jewell County & Western Railroad. - Leased to the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad Company, the rental being the interest on the funded debt.

The general officers of the Union Pacific Railroad Company are Sidney Dillion, President, of New York City; Elisha Atkins, Vice President, Boston, Mass.; Henry McFarland, Secretary and Treasurer, Boston, Mass.; S. H. H. Clark General Manager, Omaha, Neb.; Thomas L. Kimball, Assistant General Manager, Omaha, Neb.; S. T. Smith, Superintendent, Kansas Division, Kansas City, Mo.; W. T. Kelley, Superintendent Kansas Central Division, Leavenworth, Kan.; L. D. Tuthill, Superintendent St. Joseph & Western Division, St. Joseph, Mo.; J. W. Morse, General Passenger Agent, Omaha, Neb.; C. S. Stebbins, General Ticket Agent, Omaha, Neb.; E. P. Vining, General Freight Agent, Omaha, Neb.; Joseph W. Gannett, Auditor, Omaha Neb.; D. E. Cornell, General Agent Passenger and Ticket Department, Kansas City, Mo.