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 Post subject: GN 1355 progress
PostPosted: Thu Jun 04, 1998 11:57 am 

I am a volunteer with the Siouxland Historic Railroad Association, so let me elaborate a little on the state of the 1355. <p>Our roundhouse is located in Sioux City, IA, not Sioux Falls, SD. Sioux City is located in the NE corner of IA, right where SD, IA and NE come together. It is about 90 miles south of Sioux Falls. We almost ended up in Sioux Falls, but just as we moved towards acquiring the roundhouse there, it burned down. <p>Our complex is on the north side of Sioux City. It is unusual because it is a large railroad facility that is almost outside the city, instead of being in an industrial area downtown. That makes it a lot better suited to re-use as a museum than many.<p>The complex includes a six stall roundhouse (at one time there were 30 stalls), turntable, machine/blacksmith shop, carpenter's shop, sandhouse, wood sand tower and a water closet building. All are in need of roof work and window replacement. The carpenter's shop has a new roof, and work is under way to get the windows repaired. The roundhouse will be getting a new roof this summer. <p>All of the buildings need a lot of work. But progress is being made. We hope to open a museum in the carpenters shop this summer or next, and run train rides with our 44-tonner. Work is under way on the tracks, and as soon as we get a set of slip rings, the turntable will be electrified. I won't miss the armstrong method! <p>The 1355 is just sitting right now. We have to get the roundhouse complex stabilized and open to visitors before we can spare any volunteers for the engine. Plus, the work that is essential at this point is too much for volunteers. It will be contracted out. The money mentioned in the previous post cannot be spent untill the State Hisorical Society of Iowa approves the engine to be nominated to the National Register of Historic places. As soon as that happens, we will start the bidding process to find a contractor to do the running gear work.<p>If anyone comes near Sioux City, check us out. We work every Saturday from 9 to 5, with a break for lunch. Come see what we're up to. Better yet, bring your work boots and a hard hat. We always need volunteers. If you are tired from a weekday desk job, the best therapy I've found is track work. Driving heavy equipment and playing with spike mauls is great fun!<p>There is a lot more to say about the SHRA project, but I don't want to make this post any longer....<p>Todd Schultz<br>tsschult@usd.edu<p><br>



tsschult@usd.edu


  
 
 Post subject: Re: GN 1355 progress
PostPosted: Fri Jun 05, 1998 2:11 pm 

As Todd Schultz has mentioned, we have secured $73,000 in grants to perform work on the locomotive's running gear, plumbing, and outer boiler jacket. One of the stipulations to the grants is that the locomotive be determined eligible for listing on the National Register for Historic Places. The application process is currently going on for this process. We had hoped to accomplish this by April 1. But two new grant applications are being worked on currently. Our new target date for the application is April 15th.<p>Larry Obermeyer, Sr. founder and president of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association passed away on March 18, 1999 at the age of 65. Larry was the leading man who was persistent in saving GN 1355 and the Milwaukee Roundhouse Complex. As a farewell salute to Larry, GN 1355 was pulled out of the roundhouse and lined up with the other rail equipment that Larry was able to obtain for our organization. It was a nice tribute to the man who just wanted to paint a steam engine and built the foundation for a good organization. <p>If any one would like to receive our email newsletter, please forward us your address. We had originally planned to have this service available several months ago, but were unable to get it up and running. Our new target date is late April.<p>Thank you for your interest in the SHRA.<p>Larry Obermeyer, Jr.<br>



gn1355@aol.com


  
 
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