Although the wheels of progress seem to turn like the minute hand on a clock, barely noticeable when you first stare at it but as soon as you turn away from it for a short time it can be amazing to see how far it has traveled when you next take a glance. This is the fashion that many of our projects seem to follow. As a stead fast, dedicated group of volunteers doing our very best to preserve the communities and the nation's heritage we are listening, learning and adjusting as we go. With our long term strategic plans and goals pointing us in the right direction there is definitely more than meets the eye going on behind the scenes. So, just like watching the minute hand on the clock, if you've stepped away for a while come on back and see what's happened you'll be pleasantly surprised by what you find. Be sure to checkout our Before and After tab and you can see that progress is definitely being made.
In this section we will keep you informed on our many current and future projects. Along with the projects that are highlighted in this section here is a brief overview of what's in the works.
With the assistance of Federal and State Transportation Enhancement grants, Vision Iowa Grant Funding, Woodbury County, City of Sioux City, Losses Hills Tourism Bureau, Iowa State Historical Society, Missouri River Historical Development, and local donations from hundreds of visitors, community business leaders and members we are going to:
- Construction Development Phase IV - ( Summer 2010 )
- Blacksmith/Machine Shop - The brick tuck pointing was accomplished a couple years ago. This year we will put on a new roof, install new windows and doors. A specialized concrete foundation is going to be installed in the larger machine shop portion of the building as this will be the new home of the 1911 Corliss steam engine and it's ammonia compressor that we rescued from the former Sioux City Stockyards Swift & Company pork packing plant in the summer of 2009 prior to it's demolition. This display hall will showcase industrial steam operations and the main exhibit will be the completely restored AND operational Corliss Steam engine. This way our visitors can not only see the engine they will be able to get a real feel for and the sights, sounds, and smells of a live operating steam engine.
- Civil and Railroad Engineering Exhibit Center - Being built on the location of the former Lunch Room/Air Brake Shop building. This all new 50' x 80' wood structure will look similar to the old Lunch Room & Air Brake Shop there by maintaining the historic look of the railroads shops complex. See more on this project in our Current Project 3 tab.
- Construction Development Phase V - (2011-2012)
- Car Shops Building - The former Car Repair Shops offices and carpenter shop building will be our new Railroad Marketing Display Hall. This will feature rotating displays focusing on different railroads and the means to which they marketed their railroad to the public. Renovation to this building will include new windows, electrical and heat and air conditioning.
- Sand Drying House - This building will receive a complete make over. Brick tuck pointing, new roof, doors and windows, interior, electrical, heat and air conditioning. This building will have a future as a multi-media display hall which will include video and audio displays about the area and the workers that made the railroads go.
- South End Water Closet - The former bathrooms for the south end of the rail yard this building will also receive new brick tuck pointing, new roof, doors, windows and interior. This building could once again become everyone's favorite place to sit and take a break.
- Engineers Tool Shed - This small building will receive new tuck pointing, windows, door, electrical, heat and air conditioning. This building will become our main entrance ticket booth and welcome center.
- 16 inch Railroad - 16 inch gauge operating railroad will be installed to provide transportation in a fun and quick manner around the 31 acre complex. Starting with a replica 1st generation gas powered F7 locomotive and a few passenger cars we have a long range plan to bring in and operate live steam locomotives for all to enjoy.
- Construction Development Phase VI - (2012-2013)
- Big Sioux River Trail - In conjunction with the Sioux City River Trail System and the Stone State Park header trail which will run down along Iowa State Hwy 12 we are providing a crossover trail to connect the trails into one continuous trail system for the enjoyment and health benefits of the entire community.
- Milwaukee Railroad Shops Interpretative Trail System - A new paved trail system for our visitors interconnecting all the buildings and other sites of interest around the complex. No longer will our elderly and handicapped visitors have to worry about using 4-wheel drive wheel chairs and extreme terrain walking shoes (ha,ha). A nice smooth, easy walking, level, non-muddy trail for all to enjoy.
- Entrance Drive and Parking Lot - YES! REALLY!! A paved entrance and parking lot - HAPPY DAYS, HAPPY DAYS!
- Construction Development Phase VII - (2011-2013)
- Visitor Restroom Facilities - An Eco-friendly waterless bathroom facility with a capacity of about 200 guests per hour.
- The Siouxland Historical Railroad Association (SHRA) Volunteer and Donor Recognition Wall
- This wall will be located in the roundhouse on the newly installed Bay 1 offices, gift shop, and display room area. The Volunteer sections of the wall will include a list of past and pictures of current volunteers and their years of service to the organization. The Donor section will list all our donors who without their support we could never have achieved what we have. These two groups of people are making the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historical District a MUST SEE vacation destination. THANK YOU ALL!
|
