RR History Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(small)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
Cache is located near the entrance to the Siouxland Historic Railroad Museum.
The area is accessible day and night in any weather. You can pull off the road but you do not have to go in the gate.
If the complex is open, you can enjoy and explore the science, technology and industrial heritage of the North American Railroad Industry.
Originally built in 1917 by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railway Company, more commonly known as The Milwaukee Road, it was the 2nd largest shop complex in the Milwaukee's system behind their home shops in Milwaukee, WI. The site originally encompassed over 50 acres of land and incorporated over 25 buildings to include a 30 stall roundhouse, machine/blacksmith shop, car/carpenter shop, steam power plant, water softener plant, stores warehouse, sand drying house and two wooden sand towers, a 300 ton capacity wood coal tower and more. The complex included over 10 miles of track and employed over 500 people. Only 2 people were employed when railroad went bankrupt and the doors were shut for the last time in 1981. Over the following years the complex was converted into a salvage yard and all the buildings fell into disrepair.
In 1995 the City of Sioux City awarded the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association a grant to purchase the complex and clean-up/restoration work has been on-going ever since on the 31.5 acre grounds and its six remaining buildings. Although currently under reconstruction it is open for tours on weekends. The Milwaukee Shops Historic District features a restored roundhouse with turntable, machine shop buildings, carpenter shop, sand drying house, and a wood sand tower.
The historic district also includes the National Register-Listed steam locomotive Great Northern No. 1355, a Pacific-style 4-6-2 passenger train locomotive. Hundreds of hours of volunteer work have resulted in complete cosmetic restoration. It is now on static display and is moved from the roundhouse for special events.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)