Mike Loehrer, a Boone native but now of Dublin, OH, evoked some railroad memories by recommending a look-see at Iowa Scenic Train Rides - American-Rails.com.
That site is loaded with Iowa rail history, including much material pertaining to Boone's railroad history. That colorful and famous photo of their 2-8-2 #8419, a JS Class Mikado, built in China in 1989 but purchased by the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, is prominent in the early pages.
Loehrer, BHS-64, has received some interesting feedback from former Toreadors of his era regarding their personal railroading experiences.
Dick Musser, BHS-64, wrote, "thanks to the work of coal, sweat and myself, Fort Dodge has the smoothest track crossing streets in Iowa. The railroad experience was memorable for all."
Mike Nyman, BHS-64, said, "I recall many summers ago working on the section gang with Al Markey and the Crandell brothers. It was the Fort Dodge, Des Moines railroad then."
John Hendricks, BHS-64, added, "I lived 50' from the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern tracks and maybe 100 yards from the Chicago and Northwestern switch yards. I worked a couple summers as a "gandy dancer" on the Fort Dodge line. Dad and grandpa were both railroad men and grandpa Walter Jipp was one of the founders of the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad. So, yup, I found this article very interesting."
Pat Ahlstrom, BHS-64, wrote, "While in Boone recently we saw the old electric trolley with a pretty good load of passengers cross Story Street. It runs east, past the old northside Boyd's Dairy store to near the formerly glorious Jimmy Archer Field and then reverses back to the Boone and Scenic Valley yard. We stopped at the yard but the buildings were closed for that day. While there, whe chatted with our sixty years ago classmate, Alan Schroeder, who volunteers for the Boone and Scenic Valley and is a certified engineer for the line. Railroading is still a pretty big deal in Boonetown."
Loehrer concluded, "I saw this and thought some of you might be interested, especially since our livlihoods pretty much evolved being born in a railroad town. I was also thinking the alure of the railroads might be gone in a decade or so because we'll all be gone and those around didn't have the opportunity to grow up with trains in their lives and appreciate that history."
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BOONE CONNECTED/AREA DEATHS
Richard A. Finnestad, 84, Boone. Born in Laurens. LHS-56. Earned a Bachelor's Degree from Buena Vista and a Master's from the University of Northern Colorado. Married Carolyn Stevens in 1966. They lived briefly in Thompson, Coon Rapids and Estherville before moving to Boone in 1970. After being a high school teacher/coach at Coon Rapids and Thompson, the family had come to Boone for Richard to be a counselor and registrar For DMACC for 30 years. Before coming to DMACC he had spent some time at Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville. Richard was a storyteller who took great pride in his Norwegian heritage. He enjoyed nature, woodworking, golf, hunting, fishing and playing cards as well as coffee time with friends. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn, and four daughters, including two from Boone, Krista Briley and Jennifer Finnestad. Services in Boone.
Gregory Joseph Peitzmeier, 65, Pilot Mound. No services are planned.
Floyd Killian, 84, Urbandale. While living in Boone in the 60's/70's, he was an announcer for KWBG radio. Married Boone native Shirlee Schwein, BHS-61. An avid fisherman, he also enjoyed camping. Survivors include his wife, Shirlee, a son and two daughters.
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