Greetings,

Some of you may already be aware of this, if so I apologize. However, the roundhouse suffered a collapse as a result of heavy winds. An article can be found here:

http://www.omaha.com/win_popup.php?u_fu ... te=process

God Bless,
Gerald Kopiasz, President
Heartland Railroad Historical Society

Heartland Railroad Historical Society
hrrhs@aol.com

The correct url is:

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u ... sid=371263

> Greetings,

> Some of you may already be aware of this, if
> so I apologize. However, the roundhouse
> suffered a collapse as a result of heavy
> winds. An article can be found here:

>
> http://www.omaha.com/win_popup.php?u_fu ... te=process

> God Bless,
> Gerald Kopiasz, President
> Heartland Railroad Historical Society


Heartland Railroad Historical Society
hrrhs@aol.com

I have followed your efforts over the last couple of years and had hoped you would be able to pull it off. It was inspiring to see an individual so dedicated to saving a piece of history. I can only hope that you can salvage some piece; its sad because with more funding that wall might have reinforced. You fought the good fight Gerald, I can think of many structures that have gone to dust without anyone even trying to save them.

Certainly am saddened to hear about this. I think most of us have had a major disappointment in our rail preservation careers, its bad to lose a historic site, but when the next project comes around you will have the experience gained from the first. The hardest part of preserving any piece of history is making that decision to commit a good portion of your life to making it happen, and sticking to it. Don't give up on preseration Gerald, I am sure there is a locomotive, structure or branch line out there that is just waiting for you to come along and try to save it.

A great majority people will do alot of talking, but when it comes to action they always seem to disappear. There aren't very many of us who will stand alone and fight for what they believe in.

Just remember Gerald, you are one of those "achievers" that the Smithsonian thinks doesn't make a difference! Prove 'em wrong!!!

The Tod Engine
todengine@woh.rr.com

What is so sad about this roundhouse loss is that it held so much potential to become an accurate historic site, on the level of Colonial Williamsburg. Most of the elements that could have made it so still exist, including a suitable turntable and several locomotives that once called the building home. As a simple, small site, the missing elements could have been replicated without too much trouble. The CB&Q track at Nebraska City is now a shortline, and could have eventually hosted excursions as far as Lincoln. Young Gerald is definitely to be commended for his vision. Too bad no one had the same vision for Redondo Jct., Pontiac, Eugene and other roundhouses that have been recently destroyed without a whimper from anyone in our field.



bobyar2001@yahoo.com