I'm going to be stuck in western Iowa this weekend as part of a work trip. Looking for some rail or industrial history to visit, or some natural beauty of the area. I'll be about halfway between DesMoines and Council Bluffs. Anyone know of any? Been to the Boone and Scenic in March before and there wasn't much to do except look at the few pieces that were standing out and drive down to look at the bridge.

Milwaukee Railroad Shops in Sioux City
http://www.milwaukeerailroadshops.org/
Sioux City had a big streetcar system that had many Birney cars, though I have no idea if anything remains.

Omaha Zoo 30" railroad, fun to look at but not operating that day I think
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omaha_Zoo_Railroad

Rock Island Depot Museum in Council Bluffs (4-6-0 and 4-8-4)
http://www.thehistoricalsociety.org/

I have heard the Loess Hills State Forest is a good area for watching wildlife and prairies. Might be a bit quiet this time of year there.

Gomaco, Ida Grove, IA
http://www.gomacotrolley.com/index.html

There's a neat little Climax Engineering diesel along with a caboose (don't remember the railroad) in the Walnut Grove Pioneer Village about halfway between DeWitt and Davenport. (Went to a wedding near it)

There's also a by-appointment-only railroad museum in a caboose in Delmar.

Here's a great one day get away! Western Iowa? Make a one day Galesburg, Illinois turn on Amtrak's "California Zephyr" Once or twice a year we have group of people that do this trip. But they come from Colorado, and Nebraska picking friends up along the way. Get on the eastbound Zephyr at Omaha,Creston,or Osceola. There's safe,free parking there. Trains leave Omaha at 5:54AM Creston at 7:44AM have breakfast in the diner while you view railroad points of interest. You'll see Offut Air Force base. Cross the Missouri River then race on to Creston at 79mph. Pass the Wabash St. Louis right of way at Malvern, Under the former Great Western right of way at Afton Jct. See the restored (only on the outside) Osceola 1907 station. Where the CB&Q to Des Moines crossed. Then on to Ottumwa Union Station ex-CB&Q-Rock Island depot. Cross the M&ST L right away at Maxon. Stop at Burlington Union Station where the Mark Twain Zephyr stopped. then on and over the Mississippi River and up to Galesburg, visiting their railroad museum right at the Amtrak station. Displays, a great railroad library, A Pullman,RPO, and 4-6-4 CB&Q Hudson. If you didn't have lunch in the diner on the train, you can walk a block or two from the station and there's a great restaurant. The best part of Galesburg is around the train station. There's a small hobby shop accross the street from the GBB station also. If you want to go to the plain, average part of the city,shopping malls,car dealers etc., you can get a cab (the're cheap in GBB) or a city bus. Or stay at the station and watch BNSF and Amtrak action. The "Southwest Chief" also stops here, and the Illinois state locals for Quincy stop too. Before you know it, it's 4:38 and your westbound "Zephyr" is ready to take you back. After your ticket is collected, better get a seat in the sightseer lounge; it's a very popular car. Relax, enjoy the trip, text, DRINK! that's OK! your not driving. Watch a train movie, write to friend, take pictures. Have dinner in the diner. Half the cost of a dinner train. Or pretent your on the "Pennsylvanian" going to Huntingdon or the Northeast Corridor and eat at the snack bar. Whatever you want to do.
You will need reservations, pay the conductor on board. Only Omaha or Galesburg still have ticket offices you might be able to use. You also have to book on the day of the trip to make sure the train is running close to on time. Or you might not want to make the GBB trip or maybe a Burlington turn instead. This train can run late. I also sugguest a railroad atlas to bring along. There also are Hudsons at the Ottumwa and Burlington stations. Have a great trip, I think you'll like it. Westbound out of Burlington you'll climb the hill where the Westinghouse air brake was tested. In Burlington you'll pass Snake alley! See the West Burlington locomotive shops. On the Burlington hill out of the Mississippi River valley you'll pass the grave of one of the founders of the Burlington railroad, every train used to have to whistle here . Once!