ELDON, Iowa — Some Southeast Iowa retired engineers and conductors are investing their time, money and effort in preserving something for us — the Eldon Depot and memories of the Rock Island Line Railroad, the Ottumwa Courier reports.
Steve Roe and Jimmy Bedford, both of Eldon, recently shared their knowledge and plans for the depot, a reminder of Eldon’s heyday as a busy railroad town.
Roe is a retired engineer and secretary of Eldon Depot Committee Inc., which was formed in April 2001.
“The depot building has set idle since 1980, the year the Rock Island Line ended,” Roe said. “Jimmy was a neighbor to Lee Carlburg who owned it. When Lee wanted to sell it, Jimmy jumped at the chance.”
Bedford, a retired conductor and president of the restoration committee, said the depot was constructed in the 1800s, possibly dating back to October 1870 when the first train chugged into Eldon. Committee members and various volunteers have worked on cleaning, repairing and remodeling. One modern convenience is a handicapped-accessible restroom.
One end of the building features display cases, which contain memorabilia such as passenger punches, old postcards and station stamps; a table filled with a model train, pulled by an engine labeled “Route of the Rocket;” a stand-up display of a conductor’s uniform; and wall decorations such as a Rock Island Line sign and lighting fixtures from old passenger trains.
The next chore is working on the other end of the building, which was the waiting room, complete with ticket window. The wood around the windows still bears carvings made by passengers or railroaders who waited for the train so long ago.
After the first settlers came to the Eldon area about 1843, the town flourished because two railroad lines converged there – the Rock Island Line and the Keokuk/DesMoines. In 1869 the Rock Island Line completed its track to Leavenworth, Kan., and brought its first train to Eldon Oct. 28, 1870. The railroads were the town’s largest employers for many years.
By 1975, the Rock Island Line entered its third and final bankruptcy. A wage dispute led to a strike by railroad clerks in August 1979. The Interstate Commerce Commission ordered the Kansas City Terminal Railway to take over Rock Island’s operations. The bankruptcy court ordered liquidation of the railroad in 1980, the largest such liquidation in U.S. history. On March 31, 1980, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad operated its last train.
Roe and Bedford said the restoration group meets monthly on the fourth Wednesday at the KD Center, which was originally the living quarters for Missouri crews.
Monetary donations may be sent to Eldon Depot Committee Inc., P.O. Box 68, Eldon, Iowa, 52554. The group is currently selling commemorative coffee mugs and those interested in donating memorabilia should contact Roe at (641) 652-3281.
“Any money we get goes back into the depot restoration,” Roe said. “All volunteers are welcome.”
They hope to have to depot done by the end of this year. That will be fitting – the Rock Island Line’s 150th birthday will be Oct. 10 of this year.
(Source for historical information: a Web site maintained by Simpson College. Go to: www.simpson.edu/-RITS/histories.)