JS8419 Chinese steam runs in B&SV Railraod.
E-Mail:
cwhung@atmos.ucla.edu
Boone is a good train-watching town in Iowa. When I studied in Iowa State University, I visited there many times. The ex-Chicago & North Western mainline(now, Union Pacific) crosses this small town, and it is the base of Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad where a Chinese steam locomotive is running!
Boone is a town full of TRAINS. In early September, they have a special Pufferbilly Day to celebrate trains and this town. You can see CNW 400 passenger train painting on the wall in downtown, and you can find Caboose Park near this town,too. The most famous story of Boone must be Kate Shelley's .The high bridge named for her honor is not too far from Boone.
C&NW ran through Boone, IA
The construction of CNW mainline from Nevada, Iowa to Boone(23.0 miles) was done in 1865 by John I Blair's Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad company. The track from Boone to Missouri River(149.6 miles), Iowa was done in 1987 by the same company, too. Although Union Pacific took over C&NW in 1995, but we still can see many trains go through this train town. The railroad in Boone is not only this. The Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway (FDDMS) is another one. Now, the B&SV Railroad is running on this ex-FDDMS line.
#50 Trolley runs in Boone.
The B&SV railroad was formed in 1983. The only reason those people live in Boone want to preserve it is: They don't want to see this treasure abandoned! They paid US$ 50000 for this railroad from C&NW(Finally,FDDMS was taken over by C&NW ) They began to run trains since this time. They desired to have a working steam on this route, but it is too expensive. Later, they got an idea: Why don't they buy a new steam engine from China? It is cheaper than rebuild an old one! Later, they bought a steam from Ta-Tung Rail workshop, China. The steam was 2-8-2 JS class engine numbered in Chinese Railway system: JS8419. It costs US$ 355000 and named "Iowan". The "JS" in Chinese mean: "Construction", and pronounces as "Jen-Shur". This engine came to Los Angeles on 11/6/1989 and moved via Union Pacific and C&NW line to Boone. It began to run from Boone to Fraser on B&SV railroad later. Every weekend you can see it running perfectly except winter time( 10/31 to Memorial day closed). I enjoy this trip very much. You can see a special Steam Show when it cross the high bridge. It is really special!
* JS8419 steam locomotive - view 1
* JS8419 steam locomotive - view 2
* JS8419 steam locomotive - view 3
The steam trip of B&SV Railroad.
The station of B&SV in Boone is a railroad museum, too. They still preseved a Trolley line from there to downtown area. A 1915 Charles City Western Car #50 is running on this small trolley line.
Before 1997, B&SV only ran trains to the 7 1/2 miles end: Fraser, but actually they bought 11 miles from C&NW. In 1997/5, they began to run trains from Boone to the real end, Wolf. They run the ex-Southern Pacific City of San Francisco sleeper for this "Wolf Train". This passenger coach was convered to a very good condition and painted in Union Pacific yellow. It became a new star on this railroad.
If you like these, welcome to Boone, Iowa!
Iowa makes you "Smile" :)
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My friends' comments about trains of Boone
Dan Kelly :
Boone has always been a railroad town, and still is today, meaning that the
railroad is the biggest employer in town.
Otherwise,
Boone has also been an important Division point and crew changing point for
the CNW east-west Mainline. Also Boone has a fairly good sized yard on the
east side. Boone also housed dispatchers for the CNW for many years.