A eastbound UP trains races to stay ahead of the weather in Boone, IA

July 15, 2008 With arrival of morning, on day two of our trip to Ames, IA, Braham Matt and I were planning a quick run over to Boone, IA. Here we hoped to check out the Union Pacific yard, as well as the Boone & Scenic Valley RR before we left on our return trip home. After checking out of the hotel we loaded up the truck and drove west out of town in search of the yet unknown sights of the city of Boone.

It's a short drive to Boone and the scanner chatted away. The entire way we heard crews announcing their arrival - one train after another. We actually learned that this area is a crew change point more than it was a yard.

Coming in from the south end of town, we continued north until we ran into the tracks. We found a small dirt lot viewed a large pile of sand, the remnants of the great battle with the flood waters of June. Just beyond the sand pile we could see the headend of an eastbound coal load. Three UP AC44s sat up front. Hunting for the best location to get our shots, we drove east. We not only found a spot to get our pictures, but also the yard we were looking for.

Sitting silently next to what remained of an old roundhouse we looked at two UPY units. I was excited since the majority of these "UPY" units I have got were in California (where the newer, clean-emission locomotives look nothing like the EMD Geeps we found today). Matt was even more happy as he had yet to see any UPY units. So today was a first for him.

Getting several shots of the UPYs and a few other "long shots" of power sitting about the yard, we wondered about the old roundhouse that sat here some years ago. You can see the old tracks embedded in the concrete floor. A floor which is now exposed to the sun after years of service. The building which once enclosed and held firm the wheels of steam and diesel locomotives is gone.

Deciding to take a drive around the perimeter of the yard proved to be a great idea. Driving around town we started to notice that Boone is a true railroad town. Everywhere we turned there was a street named after a railroad. There is a static display in downtown Boone, featuring an old Chicago & Northwestern (C&NW) caboose along with a large mural of a C&NW passenger train painted on the entire length of a building. Even the visitor's bureau is housed in yet another old C&NW caboose. It was here we spent about 45 minutes, checking out the caboose's every detail, as well as listening to the stories from the old lady behind the desk.

It was during one of her stories that we learned of nearby Ogden, IA and the Kate Shelly Bridge. The Kate Shelly Bridge is named for a railroad heroine. The story goes that on the night of July, 6th 1881, flash flooding had washed out the C&NW bridge over Honey Creek. Kate Shelly heard the crash of a lone locomotive and crawled across the fallen bridge to get help for the surviving crew members. She also worked to stop the eastbound passenger train that was due to arrive any moment. Kate succeeded in stopping the passenger train and was able to bring back help for the injured train crew; sadly, two of the four man crew were lost in the crash.

The Kate Shelly Bridge was built in 1900 over the Des Moines River, and was the first and only bridge until 1976 that was named after a woman. A fitting tribute for the such a hero. It lasted longer than her other rewards she was given by the C&NW, which included: half a barrel of flour; a half load of coal; and, the $100 in cash. The bridge stands 186 feet above the river and spans a length of 2,386 feet, it holds two mainline tracks. Only one is active today, due to the condition of the bridge.

Hearing her story was impressive, but the need to see this bridge was overwhelming! We bid our new friend "good-bye" and set off to find this bridge. Heading west out of town with directions in hand, we found our way to Ogden. In Ogden we knew it would be hard to get to the bridge since the UP is in midst of building a new Kate Shelly bridge right next to the existing one. Following the directions: we turned left at the "T" at the big oak tree; we drove past the fallen windmill; and we stopped where the road ends. The road ends just past a small bridge that crosses above tracks on the westside of the river. We decided to park and spend some time here. There was an eastbound stack train waiting to cross the Kate.

Waiting here, we meet a fellow railfan from Michigan. He must have been close to 60 years old and was full of great stories about places he had been and the trains he has seen.

A westbound work train approached from the east, our story telling would have to wait as we all concentrated on the objective at hand - to get some great shots of the train. As the work train passed, the stopped stack train turned on its ditch lights and let out a few blast of the horn let us know she was on her way. Watching a stack train cross beneath your feet with only inches of clearance is a scary sight, but one that was also exciting. The bridge shook more than any other I have stood on. The noise was deafening. The sun was just right, and the day was off to a great start.

Thanks to the scanner we knew when a train was on its way. We listened as the work foremen give instructions to approaching trains. Each time we knew it was only a matter of moments before the next train, this time a coal empty was coming our way.

Our morning went on like this, one train after another would pass under our feet. Our moods were good about finding this location, but the need to get up-close and personal with the big bridge took over. Asking our fellow railfan what was the best way to see the bridge he gave us directions that only a railfan could have. Wishing each other good luck and a wave, we were off to see the bridge.

Stopping at the end of the main road (which, at one time brought you to the bridge), we could make out the center section of the bridge, although, not a full view. The road was now closed, it was full of construction equipment and supplies. There is also a house with a driveway, but there was no way this was an option per the misspelled signs told us that the "property was under recorded surveillance and warants would be issued to anyone trespassing." Yes, I know it's spelled wrong, but that's is how the sign read. We grabbed what pictures we could and set off in search of an abandoned bridge that is located up river from the Kate. This was an adventure that I will never forget.