Did I read somewhere that there is an ex-Illinois Central roundhouse near this train and depot?http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?april04/04-17-04/ICRR199534_2004-04-12_Independence_IA_e.jpghttp://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cg ... e_IA_f.jpg

It's changed a lot in 10 years, I used to drive by that depot every week wondering if some fools would decide it needed to be torn down. It's nice to see it fixed up. Where did the loco come from? There also used to be the body of a round roof end door boxcar next to the tracks about a block east of the depot, is it gone?

Not sure where the caboose came from, but it is genuine Illinois Central. Not so 0-8-0 # 30. This is originally Grand Trunk Western # 8300 (their first of many 0-8-0's) and after being sold for scrap, worked for many years thereafter for the Northwestern Steel & Wire Company in Sterling, Illinois as their # 30. This was a favorite engine of mine when working for NWS&W, for it had a single sand dome, whereas all of the other ex-GTW 0-8-0's there, had the normal two sand dome setup. The 30 sat derelict on a siding at Galt, Illinois for many, many years before later owner Illinois Railway Museum recently sold it. It is good to see the 30 looking so good these days but a more prototypical lettering system could have been used. The Illinois Central used larger numbers on the sides and back of the tender and the initials I.C.R.R. on the cab. Still, she has been saved. Hopefully the folks in Independence will keep her painted up and in good condition. And the station itself looks fantastic.Les Beckman (Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum/North Judson, Indiana)

The linked page from railpictures.net has a closer view of this locomotive, plus a shot of another 0-8-0 at Northwestern Steel & Wire in 1964. Be sure to scroll down. http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos. ... am%200-8-0

The 8300 was identical to the Central Vermont 500s as-built, and in the early 1980s I tried to stir up some interest in bringing it to St. Albans for display, but found little interest at the time. Sadly, none of these engines have returned to their Michigan home for proper restoration and care.Also, back to the original question... Is there still an IC round house at Independence, Iowa, or am I thinking of somewhere else?