Robin Bowers and I arose and ate breakfast at the Super 8 in Westminster then filled the car. Our friend from San Pedro, California, Chris Parker, was flying into Denver to join us for three days so we drove out to where 88th Street passed under the new Denver commuter rail A Line to the airport to await his call.
We saw a number of inbound and outbound train then received the call and drove to the airport, circling twice and finding him at the arrival level. Once he and his luggage were on board, we took the Toll Road to Interstate 25 on the way to Wyoming and showed Chris the Terry Bison Ranch from the freeway. We then stopped in Cheyenne so Chris could see the Merci Car and Holliday Park to see the Union Pacific Big Boy there, which we had seen four days ago. The three of us had lunch at Arby's before leaving Cheyenne and started the drive to Douglas then stopped at a rest area near Glenco before driving the rest of the way to our only stop of the day.
Douglas Railroad Interpretive CenterThe Douglas Railroad Interpretive Center is a railway museum in the town of Douglas, in Converse County. The exhibition is located in the former railway station, the passenger and freight depot of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad and in the outdoor area in front of it.
The visit to the museum and the vehicles are free of charge, to the Museum a small shop attached. Parking and a picnic area are located right outside the building. Some railroad cars are open during the opening times of the museum and can be visited from the inside.
Our VisitI was here once before with Bill Compton on our Powder River Basin trip in 1984.
The Chicago and North Western train and the Douglas Chicago and North Western station.
The Douglas Chicago and North Western station today, built in 1886.
A jackalope.
Chris Parker and Robin Bowers meet the jackalope.
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy wooden caboose 14140 built by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad in 1884 at their shops in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. CB&Q later rebuilt it for branchline service, then retired and restored the caboose in 1958 for movement to Douglas.
Chicago and North Western coach 1886, built by St. Louis Car Company in 1884.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 4-8-4 5633, built by the railroad in 1940.
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy dining car 196 "Silver Salver", built by Budd Company in 1947.
Interior of "Silver Salver".
Union Pacific Railway Express Agency baggage car 1897, nee Oregon Short Line 331, built by Pullman in 1911.
Union Pacific bi-level livestock car 483300 built in 1914 from a box car.
Great Northern Empire Builder sleeper 1182 "Agassiz Glacier", built by Pullman-Standard in 1950.
Museum scenes.
Fairmont motor car. I went into the office and was just signing their guest book when we heard a horn and missed the first part of this BNSF coal train.
The BNSF coal train eastbound through Douglas.
One last museum view and after a recommendation for dinner, we drove over to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Douglas station now called the Depot Restaurant and I enjoyed a pub steak.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy station built in 1886.
The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy freight house.
The Chicago and North Western freight house. We checked into the Super 8 then called it an early night.
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