Sarah Maloney
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Railroad museum worth trip to Osawatomie
Editorial
By: Sarah Maloney, smaloney@miconews.com
Osawatomie celebrated its railroad heritage Saturday with its first Railroad Day.
Instead of the hoped-for sunny, spring day, there was snow on the ground and the air temperature was a bit nippy when the doors opened to the Missouri Pacific Depot Museum in downtown Osawatomie. The weather dampened some planned outdoor activities, but inside the museum, volunteers were ready to answer questions and talk about life in the days when the railroad was the largest private employer in town.
Area museums were invited to set up booths and one of the most popular displays was the model railroad set up by the Old Depot Museum in Ottawa. Children watched with big eyes as the miniature train chugged around the track. Itchy fingers couldn't help but touch the tiny railcars as they went by. Moms admonished, but the booth volunteer said, “That's why we bring the model train. It's fun to play with.”
After looking at photographs of the Missouri Pacific machine shop in Osawatomie and displays of kerosine lamps, china, time books, conductor uniforms, watch fobs, a set of matching luggage and other items used on Missouri Pacific passenger and freight trains, visitors were invited outside to climb aboard the restored caboose.
The caboose, given years ago to the city, was placed in John Brown Memorial Park, where its condition deteriorated due to vandals, weather and time. The city gave it to the museum group and volunteers restored it to its former glory, finding out along the way that it is the last surviving wood-lined Missouri Pacific caboose.
Now, the wooden floors and walls gleam. The caboose features a real coal-fired stove once used in a railroad caboose, mannequins dressed for work on the railroad and interactive books for children. You can even climb into the crow's nest to watch a real train rumble through Osawatomie and blow a real train whistle.
Don't wait for the next Railroad Day to visit the depot museum and while you are there, look through the other displays that tell the rich history of Osawatomie.
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Instead of the hoped-for sunny, spring day, there was snow on the ground and the air temperature was a bit nippy when the doors opened to the Missouri Pacific Depot Museum in downtown Osawatomie. The weather dampened some planned outdoor activities, but inside the museum, volunteers were ready to answer questions and talk about life in the days when the railroad was the largest private employer in town.
Area museums were invited to set up booths and one of the most popular displays was the model railroad set up by the Old Depot Museum in Ottawa. Children watched with big eyes as the miniature train chugged around the track. Itchy fingers couldn't help but touch the tiny railcars as they went by. Moms admonished, but the booth volunteer said, “That's why we bring the model train. It's fun to play with.”
After looking at photographs of the Missouri Pacific machine shop in Osawatomie and displays of kerosine lamps, china, time books, conductor uniforms, watch fobs, a set of matching luggage and other items used on Missouri Pacific passenger and freight trains, visitors were invited outside to climb aboard the restored caboose.
The caboose, given years ago to the city, was placed in John Brown Memorial Park, where its condition deteriorated due to vandals, weather and time. The city gave it to the museum group and volunteers restored it to its former glory, finding out along the way that it is the last surviving wood-lined Missouri Pacific caboose.
Now, the wooden floors and walls gleam. The caboose features a real coal-fired stove once used in a railroad caboose, mannequins dressed for work on the railroad and interactive books for children. You can even climb into the crow's nest to watch a real train rumble through Osawatomie and blow a real train whistle.
Don't wait for the next Railroad Day to visit the depot museum and while you are there, look through the other displays that tell the rich history of Osawatomie.