Ottumwa is a engineer change and smoke stop on the last word in trains 'ZEPHYR' But I would only think about seeing the Hudson on a westbound trip. Eastbound trains can and do run late after being subject to weather conditions and Pacific Railroad of the Union army train dispatching! Make sure your time on your watch is the same as the conductor, and check departure times. The engine is on the BACK side of the building. (I thought track side of train stations were the front?) There is a small railroad display in the upstairs of the depot. But you won't have time for that during the stop. Watch for the Wabash bridge over the river as you enter and leave OTW. It's a bike trail today of course! There is also a new hotel right next to the station. And the famous Hotel Ottumwa a block a way.(good place to eat too) Burlington Trailways has a stop and ticket office in the station also. There is service to Saint Louis and Des Moines. I believe this service is part of a $300,000 grant to bus companys to maintain fixed route services in Iowa.

Les, I'm sorry it seems you haven't seen the BEST railroad museum on the "ZEPHYR' route. It's at Galesburg, as Amtrakers call it GBB. Galesburg Burlington Station. This railroad museum has a excellant display inside and out. 4-6-4 CB&Q Hudson, a RPO Car and a HWY former sleeper and Caboose. They just added a Everywhere West billboard box car. With displays and a rail library, and helpful freindly staff. You'll like your lay over or visit here. Train watching outside, 8 Amtrak trains daily, a junction with the Kansas City line right out the door. A restaurant with fantastic food a block up the street. There is a cab company, if you want to go to a hotel without walking. I have NOT found it expensive in the past. There also is a city bus. Perhaps you'd like to go to the "other" Galesburg of fast food places and gas stations (you won't need the gas stations on this trip) Just call the cab to get you. Now with a NEW morning train from Chicago you can do a easy Galesburg turn! You might consider also visiting Mendota. (I think it's better to get a hotel in Galesburg than Mendota. The last time I tryied, I found them in Mendota outside town on the highway.) Useing the "Carl Sandburg" and the "Southwest Chief" you can visit both places on a weekend from Chicago and the east. If you like trains of the midwest you'll love Galesburg, Illinois. They have a great event called "Galesburg Railroad Days"

I rode a trip to IRM years ago. I spoke to the trip committee on board. They said there was no problem with Metra. The issues were with the host railroad. It seems the carrier did not inform them they would run the trip or not untill the last minute. Which of course held up the advertiseing for the trip. Which impacted ticket sales.

I plan on returning to Connersville, I will take Amtrak's three day aweek train. And have the all night cab there pick me up at the station and to the hotel. Then the railroad museum. Not too easy but can be done. Some places you need a car. But not all. Places that you need your own car I guess will have to be avoided in the future.

Dear HSRN -

Yes, we had a stop at Galesburg last year coming back on the California Zephyr and I photographed the 4-6-4 and other equipment at that time. Although the museum there is very nice, I always remember the trips to Galesburg when the Q was still running steam powered fantrips and the roundhouse and strings of dead steam were still there, so I have some feelings of sadness too. At Ottumwa on the other hand, I knew that the Hudson was displayed somewhere in town, but did not know where. After spending about 15 minutes walking the platform, I found out from a local where she was located; just BEFORE we were ready to pull out! Grrrrr!!! The Mendota museum is very nice too, although the CZ does not stop there. Their O1A class Burlington Mike is kept in wonderful shape, and the Milwaukee branchline combine they have is a nicely restored car. I have been there a number of times, but always via automobile, not Amtrak. But obviously, as you say, both Galesburg and Mendota could be gotten to without a car.

Les

Burlington Iowa also has a 4-6-4 on display right on the curve of the mainline. It can be plainly seen from the train. The Burlington has just built a NEW center span of the bridge there.

When your on the "Zephyr" just before Burlington is Gulfport, Illinois. If you look quickly you'll see a Burlington Doodlebug up on blocks in the backyard of a house not far from the tracks.
On the famous West Burlington Hill you pass the grave of one of the founders of the Burlington Route. The marker must be 20 tons! It is seen best when leaves are off the trees. And don't forget "Snake Alley" hard to see with that ugly overbuilt highway bridge in the way. But if you look up the hill it's there. Next to the church.
Sorry, trains no longer whistle when passing the grave, on the hill.

The C&O Heritage Center in Clifton Forge, Va. is accessible from Amtrak's "Cardinal" if you don't mind a long visit and a quarter-mile or so walk (the "Cardinal" runs tri-weekly)

http://www.candoheritage.org/

Rent a car and you're an hour's drive from Roanoke, two hours from "Trains" Magazine's most recent "Trackside" location, Lynchburg.

Unless there's another one at Gulfport, that doodlebug is actually at Gladstone, about eight miles east. This photo was taken in July 2005.

Sorry for the mistake, but that's what this list is for. To get things right. If this can be seen from the train it's the one.