By James Coburn
EDMOND, Okla. — Drake Rice says most everyone has an ancestor who had ties to the railroad.
Rice, secretary of the Oklahoma Railway Museum, is a train enthusiast and a licensed engineer and conductor. He also is the director of member services for the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority.
The Oklahoma Railway Museum, 3400 N.E. Grand Blvd. in Oklahoma City, is more
than a graveyard of antique trains. Rather it’s a glimpse of a bygone time contrasting with the new millennium.
Five engines and 24 pieces of rolling stock are on a 3.1-acre site. A restored train depot from Oakwood survived a tornado and is on the grounds. An air-conditioned 1941 Santa Fe passenger car is open during summer months. And a 1927 Chicago Northwestern coach with windows that open may be toured during the spring and fall. An 1878 wooden frame caboose is the oldest in Oklahoma, Rice said.
The caboose is similar to what thousands of pioneers took to reach their dreams in the Unassigned Lands on April 22, 1889, to forge new lives as settlers, Rice said. Inside it is a coal-burning stove and original kerosene lamps.
Plans are to move an 1887 steam engine from the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds to the museum within the next two years, Rice said.
Former Edmond City Councilman Gary Moore said the museum is without a paid staff and depends on volunteers. Volunteers will be needed to work in a building being constructed for maintenance and restoration purposes, he said.
“We always need funding,” Rice said. “The main source of funding is our train rides. Visiting the museum is free of charge, but donations are accepted.”
The museum is sponsoring an appearance by Thomas the Train based on the story book on Sept. 28-30 and Oct. 5-7. Ten trains will carry 350 passengers each daily on a ride. Tickets are $16 for ages 2 and older. Tickets are available by clicking on the www.ticketweb.com icon on the Day Out With Thomas main page or by calling Ticketweb at (866) 468-7630.transformed with a bunch of activities for kids,” THE OKLAHOMA RAILWAY MUSEUM is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Visit www.oklahomarailwaymuseum.org or call 424-8222.
James Coburn writes for The Edmond (Okla.) Sun.
