I would appreciate any comments and advice from anyone who has visited the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs. Looks like a worth while trip, especially if I combine it with a follow-up visit to the Golden Spike Tower.
Thanks!!!
I’ve been there, and it’s worth the stop. Some things, I felt were more geared to my kids’ level, but overall it’s interesting. There is also a train museum south of downtown Council Bluffs that has a lot of old rolling stock outdoors. I enjoyed that as well. In downtown Omaha, north of the Amtrak station is the Durham Western(?) Mueseum, in an old CBQ(?) station. It’s big on Omaha history. The station is quite impressive. In the lower level is a huge, no longer functioning, HO train layout that represents the UP from Omaha to Promontory.
A word of caution- nothing against the Omaha area, but be careful, if you stay in a motel there. We’ve had the worst of luck there.
Sam,
It has been several years, so my memories are vague. Overall impression is that they have some neat stuff, but it is not top of the line like Sacramento or Mt. Claire.
The real find was the guy manning the booth who was a retired dispatcher. IIRC he said everyone there was retired UP. If you go, START with the person at the desk.
Is worth a stop if you are in the area, but I would not travel from Texas to see it.
Mac
I was there just last fall and enjoyed it very much. One of the neat features is a simulated cab ride over several different routes. The passenger memorabilia is outstanding. And this year they are to have added a big new exhibit celebrating the 150th.
Downtown CB is pretty and safe. No reason to stay across the river in Omaha. I stayed “out” a ways, at a Comfort Inn, because I like the chain. It is across the street from a big casino, if you get into that.
Leave time (as I wasn’t able this trip) to explore the neat old neighborhood of big houses, close to downtown, that includes Grenville Dodge’s.
If you are going to be in a car, rental or otherwise, of course treat yourself to some running along U.P., on U.S. 30, enroute to North Platte.
Sam, I misspoke: The motel I stayed at in CB is COUNTRY Inn & Suites.
That park in Council Bluffs that Murphy mentioned is the Railswest Museum. It is the old Rock Island RR depot, nicely preserved, with a couple of steamers and assorted rolling stock. You probably would spend less than an hour there.
The Durham Western Heritage Museum is not to be missed, if for no other reason than the building itself. It is a classic art deco structure that was built as a Union Station for the Omaha railroads (except the CB&Q, there is always a hold-out). This is the main lobby:
In addition to the sites already mentioned there is Kenefick Park. It is visible on a bluff to the right as you cross the Missouri River westbound on Interstate 80. It contains Big Boy 4023 and Centennial 6900.
North Platte is between 5 and 6 hours away by Interstate, but if you take US 30 instead in many places you are running along UP’s mainline. The Golden Spike is the main attraction but Cody Park contains a small town UP depot, Challenger 3977, Centennial 6922 and some other rolling stock. The Challenger is displayed on a curve to demonstrate articulation.