The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad (reporting mark BSVY) is a heritage railroad in Boone County, Iowa.
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The railroad was started in 1983 by a group of volunteers primarily to preserve a scenic section of the former Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad. The original track was built in the 1890s and electrified in 1907, closing in 1955. The Chicago & North Western (CNW) purchased the entire FDDMS in 1968 for $50,000. This stretch of track through the Des Moines River valley includes a beautiful high bridge. It runs approximately twelve miles from Boone through the small town of Fraser and ends at the site of the former town of Wolf.
The railroad, an immediate success, has expanded regularly since its founding. The permanent station/museum/ticket office building features considerable parking areas for the busy summer season. The depot was dedicated in 1985.
In February 2002, UP donated 1.7 miles of the only remaining right-of-way from the FDDMS, and BSVY started to provide freight service. [1]
The railroad owns numerous locomotives and dozens of cars.
One of the railroad's steam engines, former COER CLC 2-8-0 #17, is most widely known for holding the historic title as the last operating common carrier steam locomotive in America. Purchased on February 9, 1987 it currently sits on display and is still painted with the CO&E's classic pyramid logo.[2]
In the late 1980s the railroad also acquired one of the last new 2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotives built in China ($350,000). The locomotive powers the museum's 1920's excursion trains on Saturdays, Memorial Day Weekend through October 31.
In 2002 the BSVY acquired and restored an EMD FP9, originally a Via Rail Canada passenger locomotive. Painted in Chicago and North Western Railway inspired colors, she powers the BSVR dinner train.
The railroad also runs a short trolley ride and has even begun to do light freight switching at Boone industries in recent years. Its station is located just one block from the Union Pacific Railroad mainline.
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