Free Time in Council Bluffs

As normal this time of year, I must steal a tiny bit of time to visit some really awesome railroad town. Council Bluffs was the target over Memorial Weekend. My debate team was staying in town for a tournament in Omaha. I did a quick drive through the "railroady" side of town before the gang stirred for the day. The Golden Spike Monument was just down the road from the motel so it was the beginning. I then ventured toward downtown to what looked to be an old Rock Island depot before a text message told me to return soon. I saw quite a few great places to return to. There is a spaghetti bowl of track in town, no doubt to redirect traffic in many directions. The depot area looked like a good spot to hang out but alas, no time.

The monument was a little on the simple side. A couple of acres of open park with a small cluster of trees around a huge spike. Not much else. But, for a railfan or modeler, it was pretty good. Next door was a solvent plant that used rail. Their spur seemed to be the outer limit of the park. Beyond that was a yard tower and an old freight house. Both apparently still in use. I took a few detail shots for modeling purposes. The UP yard was just out of view though I could see one end.

Past here I wondered to the depot. It had a Rock Island Lines sign on the roof and the local historical society calls it a Rock Island depot. I think Iowa Interstate runs through on the old CRI&P tracks. A unit was parked up the tracks. On another day I did see a unit like this one with a yard slug headed into the UP yards. Next to the depot was a collection of cars including a lot to Rock Island and Burlington.

Across the street from the depot was the modern BNSF yard shelter. In the vicinity were a GP38 for local work and a pair of KCS GE units. It was a typical prarie scene. Heat, dust and quiet tracks.

Not bad for a 30 minute escape. I did get to Omaha's Union Station, which was pretty nicely restored and now houses the Durham Museum. Trains were rolling by as we were inside. UP's business park offices up the road were pretty impressive too. But, that was viewed in passing.

We passed by "the spike" again on the way to Jonesy's Taco House, which I spotted on these travels. We all knew the monument was there because President Lincoln owned land in Council Bluffs and the Transcontinental Railroad began there. Debaters tend to know their history. However, the other coach, in sync with the competitor, were thinking aloud that it was a phallic symbol like the Washington Monument as we passed. Young people today! I couldn't help but laugh too.



BC