Midwest Electric Railway
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Overview | |
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Headquarters | standard gauge |
Length | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
The Midwest Electric Railway (
Overview
The volunteer association runs a tourist railroad which operates electric trolleys around a 2.5 mile loop around the Midwest Old Threshers Reunion campground. Guest prices and hours of operation vary throughout the year based on the activities of the Midwest Old Threshers Association. The trolley operation is most active on the five days preceding Labor Day during the reunion. The trolleys operate on special holidays and when special organized groups reserve time. Visit the Old Threshers Reunion website for the latest information.
The campground's trolley tracks were originally constructed by the Midwest Electric Railway's volunteers and are still maintained today through volunteer efforts. Every year maintenance and reconstruction is organized and accomplished entirely through volunteer labor.
Location
The Midwest Electric Railway is located in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa on the campgrounds of the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion sandwiched between Locust and S. Walnut Streets. The railroad crosses E. Thresher Road in two places. The main headquarters for MERA and trolley storage is in a silver-painted trolley barn which is located on S. Locust Road less than a half mile from south of Thresher Road.
History
The Midwest Electric Railway, a not-for-profit educational organization, was founded in 19xx . Its goal at that time was to preserve historic electric-powered passenger trolleys that had operated in Iowa and transport passengers around the campground during the Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion. The original trolley stops were the trolley depot, the trolley barn, and campers' gate.
Today, the purpose of the organization remains largely the same including the preservation of non-Iowa operated electric rolling stock. Trolley Stops currently include The Trolley Depot, the Trolley Barn, the Log Village, Lakeview, South 40, and Campers' Gate.
Equipment
Trolleys
- Streetcar #381
Usage: City Streetcar/One-man Safety Car Circa 1930s – 1950s Operated: Knoxville, Tennessee; later Waterloo, Iowa From: Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern Railroad Builder:
- Streetcar #1945
Usage: Lightweight City Car/One-man Safety Car Circa 1920s Operated:
- Streetcars #1718 and #1779
Usage: City & Interurban, Open Cars/Open Bench Summer Cars Circa 1888-1940s Operated: From: Rio de Janeiro Tramway Builder:
- Streetcar #9
Usage: Suburban Passenger Service/Express Car Circa 1910s Operated: between Centerville, Albia, and Mystic, Iowa From: Southern Iowa Railway, Centerville, Iowa Builder: Barber Car Co., York, Pennsylvania, 1912 as a 4-wheel car (original); Southern Iowa Railway to an 8-wheel car (rebuilt) Notes: Street and intercity service; 4 wheels = rough riding
- Streetcar #320
Usage: High-speed Heavy Interurban Car/Intercity and commuter travel Circa 1910s – 1940s Operated: Southern Iowa Railway From: Chicago Aurora and Elgin Railroad Builder: Jewett Car Company, Newark, Ohio, 1914 Notes: Heavyweight for high-speed long-distance travel (up to 80 MPH)
Structures
The
The Trolley Barn was built in the early 1970s to store the growing stock of equipment. While the building has no real antique value, it provides a well-used maintenance pit for trolley maintenance, room for trolley storage, and a health & welfare room for volunteer operators and conductors.
Special events
Midwest Old Thresher's Reunion
Every year during the week leading up to Labor Day weekend, volunteer operators and conductors regularly operate the trolleys to ferry campground dwellers and rail enthusiasts around the 2.5 mile campground loop. The Log Village at the south end of the loop provides the tourist a view of 19th century life on the Iowa prairie. Camper's use the trolley's to commute to the main fairgrounds to visit daily attractions.
Haunted Trolley Ride
Every year near Halloween, the Midwest Electric Railway operates a haunted trolley ride.
Trolley School
Once a year at in June, Midwest Electric Railway holds a Trolley School to teach anyone to operate a Trolley, then allowing them time to operate some of the fleet.
See also
- List of United States railroads
- List of heritage railroads in the United States
- List of railway museums
References
- ^ a b , Illinois Railroad Information System, Department of Transportation (ILDOT) – Association of American Railroads Alpha Codes; pp. 158–159, C-2
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- Terry, Jeff. "The Midwest Electric Railway", Railfan & Railroad magazine, June 2008
External links
External images | |
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RailPictures.Net – Search for Midwest Electric Railway photographs at RailPictures.Net. | |
RR Picture Archive – Search for Midwest Electric Railway photographs at RRPictureArchives.net. |
- Midwest Electric Railway – Official Website
- Jon Bell's MERA website