The CGW Oelwein (Iowa) shops
When they were built around 1900, they were the best shops in the US. They were in use until 1993, when CNW closed them[:(] (altho it was UP since they essentaly had control of CNW at that time)
This is the L-shaped coach shop. One side of it is ready to fall down, notice the roof is missing at one point
In the late 40s, early 50s, a concrete 2 stall shop was added to the main shop. This is the running repair shop, designed for the F units. It had 2 levels, one equal with the cab doors of an F unit, and a lower level
The is the north end
Heres the south end. These doors weren’t originally there, but CNW added them to make this a “run-thru” facility. You can even see a faded CNW sign above the doors.
This is the South side of the main shop. If I remember, it was 702 feet long
The doors were on the north side, but there were so many tress growing I couldn’t have gotten a shot of that side.
The one structure that’s not falling down, is the yard tower, which was restored a few years ago
The roundhouse is still in use by Transco Railway Products. It was originally a 40 stall house but most of it burned in the 30s and there were only 6-8 stall left after that. Today, there are 15 stalls.
one of Transco’s Sw1s
[IMG]http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/1669/trao31im
Very interesting… I’ve been through Oelwein a couple of times over the years, but never bothered to stop and look very close. I knew IANR had the spur out of Waterloo that runs up through Dewar to there, but I wasn’t sure what it was good for, until now.
Transco has been around Oelwein for some time, possibly even while CNW was still rebuilding Geeps there. Used to be that we’d just send them auto racks for reconditioning, but they’ve progressed beyond that. In fact, the UP got a series of Transco-rebuilt rock gondolas (the low CMO 396000s) that were cut down (in length and height) from former coal gons.
Very interesting pictures. Thanks for sharing.
BTW, what is the status of the CGW tunnel in western IL? Is that still off limits? Would be really neat if they would run a bike path through it like what was done on the Elroy-Sparta Trail and the Omaha Trail up in Wisconsin.
Sad to see what has become of a once thriving shops complex…they rebuilt hundreds upon hundreds of GP units there over the years (similar to the ICG shops in Paducah, KY did over the years). Glad to see at least some of it is still in use. Anybody have photos of the CNW dead lines at this location they may wi***o share?
Brian, IANR runs a weekly train on Thursdays to drop off cars for Transco and pick up some they have rebuilt. And there’s occasionaly an extra, such as when they brought up the S1 (it may be an S2). IANR also serves a grain elevator in Oelwein. Also, supposedly transloading has started in town again.
CShaveRR, I believe they’ve been there since 69’ (a year after the CGW-CNW merger)
Chris, as far as I know, Winston tunnel is off limits. A bike trail thru there would be cool.
Jim, yes hundreds of Geep and F units have been rebuilt there. I do know the 2 tracks on the east side (former main to St.Paul, abandoned in '84) held locomotiveds that were “stored servicable”. The dead line was on the shortest yard tracks near the roundhouse. Look under Oelwein IA on RRPicturearchives.net
About the Winston Tunnel: from the always accurate Wikipedia
The Winston Tunnel still exists, although in a very isolated area, and in a much deteriorated condition. Nature has reclaimed the right-of-way; the fan house, unused since the 1940s, has been severely damaged by the elements; and the eastern bore, located on private property, has been almost completely sealed with earth.
The western half, however, was purchased by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources as a “satellite area” of Apple River Canyon State Park. The DNR installed a new steel gate to replace the chain-link fence covering the western bore[9], and is developing the area with nature trails and other improvements [10]. However, and besides the fact that the tunnel is currently off-limits to general public visitation, it is a very dangerous place to visit, with the ever-present danger of further collapse and rattlesnake bite.
Thanks for the info. You can always count on Wiki to be 110% accurate[;)] (not)