September 16, 2024 • 10 mins
I sat down with Isabelle Kaeding with the Union Pacific Railroad Museum to talk about the Railroad Days event, but also some interesting stuff about the history of trains here in Coucil Bluffs and Omaha!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Yeah, it's Lucy Chapman and here's more. Here's more because
I am going to be out on Saturday at Railroad
Days in Council Bluffs at the Railroad Museum. I'm going
to be there from noon to one, but the event
goes on from nine to five. So I've said that
on the air. Here's more about that. In fact, I've
got Isabelle in from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and Isabelle, welcome.
(00:23):
Thanks for joining me today.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yeah, thanks for having me. I'm excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
This sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun,
and it's something that I am not that familiar with.
Even growing up here in Omaha and Council Bluffs, you
would think we all know about trains, but in your
experience you find out people don't really always know about trains.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, even for myself growing up in the Omaha metro area,
I really I had a vague idea that trains were important,
But once working at the museum, I've gotten so much
more information about really how fundamental the railroad is to
Council Bluffs and Omaha in the metro area.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Well, yeah, we've all grown up with Union Pacific's everywhere,
so we think, well, y ah, we know trains, Omaha
knows trains almost like we know Mutual of Omaha and
the Wild Kingdom. Yeah, they've just always been here. Yeah,
but this is a way to highlight not just the
what we've grown up with, but maybe the history, especially
at the museum.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
What kind of things can we expect.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, so many people don't know that Council Bluffs is
actually miles zero for the trans Continental Railroad, and so
Railroad Days really just shines a light on all the
heritage that really made Council Bluffs into what Council Bluffs is,
and history that's so rich and deep within the community.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
And it's not just the railroad, because with the railroad
it brought new people to the area. And I think
I don't think a lot of people know this, And
you and I mentioned this before we started, that Council
Bluffs was actually a bigger town than Omaha at that time.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yeah, so General Dodge and Abraham Lincoln actually met in
Council Bluffs, not in Omaha, whereas most people would think
they would meet in the bigger city. But at the
time it would have been Council Bluffs just across the river.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
So so there's a lot of really rich history that
people can learn during railroad Days that even go beyond
the actual railroad itself.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
For the train.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, so even if you're not really into the equipment
and don't think trains are for you, there's so much
more to the railroad and to that history.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
So for Railroad Days on Saturday, what kind of things
can we expect? And you said there's different locations for
the events.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, so with a ticket you get unlimited trolley rides
and so they will make a series of stops throughout
downtown Council Bluffs. And even if you're just going for
the trolley rides, it's totally worth it.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
I can just see that, Oh this is great trains.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
I'm gonna say right here on the trolley though, okay, exactly,
there's no problem.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Just you do you? Yeah exactly.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
So the trolley will be going around and that's all
of the trolleys, so they're just really are weaning.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
The trolley to you? Or are do you guys loan
him to? Does? Where does he live?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
I think he lives Okay, But there's also pony rides
in Bayliss Park, Barrel train in Bayliss Park. Different events
going on at each location. For us, we'll be having
some safety information from Operation Life Saver in the museum.
Can see our temporary exhibit lawn Order on the Railroad
if you haven't yet, it's stuck around for another year,
(03:20):
so make sure you stop by and see it. And
then we'll also be having a lot of special guests
to model trains. There really is something for everybody. There's
multiple museums to the Dodge House, the Rails West Museum
to see the locomotives. There's really something for everybody.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
So your ticket gets you into all of these events. Yes, yes,
a ride to them so you can go. You've always
wanted to go to all these different things, and as
a kid, I remember going to the General Dodge House
and some of the other events that are that are
going to be included in this, and I've thought, why
did you go over and see some of that again
as an adult and be really able to appreciate it. Yeah,
(03:55):
but I don't want to go park it Wan. This
is the perfect opportunity.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
You get a ticket once and then it's twenty dollars
for two adults and unlimited kids. Extra adults are ten dollars,
and then you can hop on the trolley and it'll
take you to all of the historic places and council
bluffs in one day. So it really is just the
perfect afternoon to experience all of the history and council bluffs.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
At Baylists, there'll be like food trucks and different activities
for the kids. You mentioned a couple of things.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Yeah, so the seven to one two initiative will be
activating the park, so there'll be a bunch of different stands,
a bunch of different things for everybody to enjoy. Pony rides,
which would have been my favorite growing up. There's a
barrel train going around the park, so that's a version
of a train ride. So trolley rides and train rides
and just a lot of other things. There's also some
deals down on the hundred block, so with your wristband
(04:43):
you can go and get special discounts from some of
the bars and pubs at the hundred block.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
So that's when you want to leave the unlimited kids
behind you for a little while and you know, go
go have some adult fun, which is another cool thing
you can do it. Maybe you just met somebody you're
taking them on a date. This is a perfect way
to there. You go to run them around and it
won't cost you as much. Make that cheap date. You
mentioned something just a few minutes ago I wanted to
(05:07):
come back to that an exhibit was sticking around a
little bit longer, and that really caught my ear that
the law enforcement or.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Law and Order on the Railroad exhibit is our temporary exhibit.
So it debuted Railroad Days last year and then so
it's going to be sticking around for one more year.
So if you haven't seen it yet, it's all about
the history of law enforcement on the railroad from the
American West and train robbers to special agents in at
up today and what that looks like and how that's
(05:38):
evolved over time and how their jobs have changed. It's
really fascinated.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
And so you've seen this exhibit obviously, Yeah, were you
when the first time that you went.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Through it or saw it.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Were you kind of surprised about some of the different
ways that law and order were handled in the very beginning?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Yeah, I mean it was really fascinating to learn about
how the law and order on the railroad became a
thing and how private agencies and the Pinkertons were so
relevant and so influential on law and order. And there's
a lot of really interesting stories that were kind of
one off stories that are really amazing to hear about.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So even if you're not maybe a train enthusiast, but
you are a history enthusiast, you're gonna love so many
aspects of this event.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Definitely.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah. As somebody who wouldn't consider myself a rail fan
before working at the museum, I just loved history and
especially local history. There really is any aspect of history
that you like. The railroad has an intersect with it
and has some influence on it, or it has had
some influence on the railroad.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
So you have to get your tickets. Can you get
your tickets online? Yep.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
So you can get your tickets at go Railroad days
dot com, or you can get them day of at
Union Pacific Museum, the General Dodge House, or the Rails
West Museum, and you.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Get your ticket, they get on Allie the trolley and
you just make a day of it and all around
counts a bluffs. I think, like I said, I'm gonna
be there from noon to one. I'm probably gonna come
a little early because I got to check out some
of this stuff. But we're gonna have the prize wheel
where you can spin the prize to win some or
sprint the wheel. Don't spend the prize, you gotta win
it first. You can spin the wheel to win some
(07:17):
free prizes like tickets for unlimited trolley rides later and again,
that website is go railroad days dot com or at
the Union Pacific Railroad Museum is where you can get
those tickets. Isabelle, I've got another question for you. Will
there be any rail cars, like old railcars that you
(07:39):
can walk through.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
At the Rails West Museum that's just down the street.
There are old cars that you can see and kind
of take pictures with that are really really cool to see.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
How long have you been there?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
About a year?
Speaker 3 (07:50):
About all over a year? Okay, how long has the
museum been operating?
Speaker 2 (07:55):
So the museum opened in the early two thousands, around
like two thousand and three ishpe belief, and so it's
been around for about twenty years, and it's really had
a lot of evolution since then. Things twenty years ago
are not the same as now. And so even if
you've been once and you've been once ten years ago
or as a kid when it was the public Library
(08:16):
of Council Bluffs. It is definitely worth a stop back.
Things are constantly improving and constantly changing. That's one of
our goals is to always, you know, stay up with
technology and stay up with how we tell our story
and making sure that it's always an accurate story. And
so if you haven't been in a while, this is
a perfect opportunity to stop back over and see what's new,
(08:39):
what's changed, learn something new about Council Bluffs, about this
area's history.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
It sounds like a lot of fun. I'm very excited
about it. And Isabelle knows this, but when you first
came in here to talk about this, I didn't have
a lot of information.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
I mean I had a lot. You gave me information, but.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
You know, typical of me, I didn't read it all.
So I was a little in the about what this
was all about. And you have laid it out perfectly,
and this is gonna this is gonna be a lot
of fun.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
I'm excited about this. Yes, say and bring the kids.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Yeah, it's great unlimited kids with your tickets. So you know,
it's a perfect opportunity to get all the cousins together
and bring them all over. So twenty dollars for two
adults and unlimited kids, and then any extra adults are
ten dollars.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
And then you know, with all those kids around, then
they've got all that extra energy.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
There's Bayliss Park, yes, exactly, send them over to the
park to run.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
It should be a great time. We're looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
We're going to be there with the price Wheel from
noon to one and it runs from nine to five.
The Railroad Museum. How about an address for that.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Two hundred Pearl Street.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
That's easy, very hundred Pearl Street. Ye.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Council Bluff's gone through a lot of changes in the
last couple of years.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Oh, definitely, yeah, a lot of improvements. Yes, yeah, down
there is gorgeous. So if you haven't been to downtown
Council Bluffs you should definitely come by on railroad days
and take it all in. The weather should be nice too,
hopefully fingers crossed.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
So when you finally leave the railroad, maybe go work
for the Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I think that'd be a excellent.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Spuff you sell the city. Well, well, thank you so
much for joining me today, Isabella. It was so great
to talk to you.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Yes, thank you for having me and we will see
you at railroad Days.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
That website again is go railroad days dot com.
Yeah, it's Lucy Chapman and here's more. Here's more because
I am going to be out on Saturday at Railroad
Days in Council Bluffs at the Railroad Museum. I'm going
to be there from noon to one, but the event
goes on from nine to five. So I've said that
on the air. Here's more about that. In fact, I've
got Isabelle in from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and Isabelle, welcome.
(00:23):
Thanks for joining me today.
Speaker 2 (00:24):
Yeah, thanks for having me. I'm excited to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:26):
This sounds like it's going to be a lot of fun,
and it's something that I am not that familiar with.
Even growing up here in Omaha and Council Bluffs, you
would think we all know about trains, but in your
experience you find out people don't really always know about trains.
Speaker 2 (00:40):
Yeah, even for myself growing up in the Omaha metro area,
I really I had a vague idea that trains were important,
But once working at the museum, I've gotten so much
more information about really how fundamental the railroad is to
Council Bluffs and Omaha in the metro area.
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Well, yeah, we've all grown up with Union Pacific's everywhere,
so we think, well, y ah, we know trains, Omaha
knows trains almost like we know Mutual of Omaha and
the Wild Kingdom. Yeah, they've just always been here. Yeah,
but this is a way to highlight not just the
what we've grown up with, but maybe the history, especially
at the museum.
Speaker 3 (01:15):
What kind of things can we expect.
Speaker 2 (01:17):
Yeah, so many people don't know that Council Bluffs is
actually miles zero for the trans Continental Railroad, and so
Railroad Days really just shines a light on all the
heritage that really made Council Bluffs into what Council Bluffs is,
and history that's so rich and deep within the community.
Speaker 1 (01:33):
And it's not just the railroad, because with the railroad
it brought new people to the area. And I think
I don't think a lot of people know this, And
you and I mentioned this before we started, that Council
Bluffs was actually a bigger town than Omaha at that time.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Yeah, so General Dodge and Abraham Lincoln actually met in
Council Bluffs, not in Omaha, whereas most people would think
they would meet in the bigger city. But at the
time it would have been Council Bluffs just across the river.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
So so there's a lot of really rich history that
people can learn during railroad Days that even go beyond
the actual railroad itself.
Speaker 3 (02:08):
For the train.
Speaker 2 (02:09):
Yeah, so even if you're not really into the equipment
and don't think trains are for you, there's so much
more to the railroad and to that history.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
So for Railroad Days on Saturday, what kind of things
can we expect? And you said there's different locations for
the events.
Speaker 2 (02:26):
Yeah, so with a ticket you get unlimited trolley rides
and so they will make a series of stops throughout
downtown Council Bluffs. And even if you're just going for
the trolley rides, it's totally worth it.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
I can just see that, Oh this is great trains.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
I'm gonna say right here on the trolley though, okay, exactly,
there's no problem.
Speaker 3 (02:45):
Just you do you? Yeah exactly.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
So the trolley will be going around and that's all
of the trolleys, so they're just really are weaning.
Speaker 3 (02:55):
The trolley to you? Or are do you guys loan
him to? Does? Where does he live?
Speaker 2 (02:59):
I think he lives Okay, But there's also pony rides
in Bayliss Park, Barrel train in Bayliss Park. Different events
going on at each location. For us, we'll be having
some safety information from Operation Life Saver in the museum.
Can see our temporary exhibit lawn Order on the Railroad
if you haven't yet, it's stuck around for another year,
(03:20):
so make sure you stop by and see it. And
then we'll also be having a lot of special guests
to model trains. There really is something for everybody. There's
multiple museums to the Dodge House, the Rails West Museum
to see the locomotives. There's really something for everybody.
Speaker 1 (03:35):
So your ticket gets you into all of these events. Yes, yes,
a ride to them so you can go. You've always
wanted to go to all these different things, and as
a kid, I remember going to the General Dodge House
and some of the other events that are that are
going to be included in this, and I've thought, why
did you go over and see some of that again
as an adult and be really able to appreciate it. Yeah,
(03:55):
but I don't want to go park it Wan. This
is the perfect opportunity.
Speaker 3 (04:00):
Yep.
Speaker 2 (04:00):
You get a ticket once and then it's twenty dollars
for two adults and unlimited kids. Extra adults are ten dollars,
and then you can hop on the trolley and it'll
take you to all of the historic places and council
bluffs in one day. So it really is just the
perfect afternoon to experience all of the history and council bluffs.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
At Baylists, there'll be like food trucks and different activities
for the kids. You mentioned a couple of things.
Speaker 2 (04:22):
Yeah, so the seven to one two initiative will be
activating the park, so there'll be a bunch of different stands,
a bunch of different things for everybody to enjoy. Pony rides,
which would have been my favorite growing up. There's a
barrel train going around the park, so that's a version
of a train ride. So trolley rides and train rides
and just a lot of other things. There's also some
deals down on the hundred block, so with your wristband
(04:43):
you can go and get special discounts from some of
the bars and pubs at the hundred block.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
So that's when you want to leave the unlimited kids
behind you for a little while and you know, go
go have some adult fun, which is another cool thing
you can do it. Maybe you just met somebody you're
taking them on a date. This is a perfect way
to there. You go to run them around and it
won't cost you as much. Make that cheap date. You
mentioned something just a few minutes ago I wanted to
(05:07):
come back to that an exhibit was sticking around a
little bit longer, and that really caught my ear that
the law enforcement or.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Law and Order on the Railroad exhibit is our temporary exhibit.
So it debuted Railroad Days last year and then so
it's going to be sticking around for one more year.
So if you haven't seen it yet, it's all about
the history of law enforcement on the railroad from the
American West and train robbers to special agents in at
up today and what that looks like and how that's
(05:38):
evolved over time and how their jobs have changed. It's
really fascinated.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
And so you've seen this exhibit obviously, Yeah, were you
when the first time that you went.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Through it or saw it.
Speaker 1 (05:47):
Were you kind of surprised about some of the different
ways that law and order were handled in the very beginning?
Speaker 2 (05:56):
Yeah, I mean it was really fascinating to learn about
how the law and order on the railroad became a
thing and how private agencies and the Pinkertons were so
relevant and so influential on law and order. And there's
a lot of really interesting stories that were kind of
one off stories that are really amazing to hear about.
Speaker 1 (06:17):
So even if you're not maybe a train enthusiast, but
you are a history enthusiast, you're gonna love so many
aspects of this event.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
Definitely.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Yeah. As somebody who wouldn't consider myself a rail fan
before working at the museum, I just loved history and
especially local history. There really is any aspect of history
that you like. The railroad has an intersect with it
and has some influence on it, or it has had
some influence on the railroad.
Speaker 3 (06:45):
So you have to get your tickets. Can you get
your tickets online? Yep.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
So you can get your tickets at go Railroad days
dot com, or you can get them day of at
Union Pacific Museum, the General Dodge House, or the Rails
West Museum, and you.
Speaker 1 (06:57):
Get your ticket, they get on Allie the trolley and
you just make a day of it and all around
counts a bluffs. I think, like I said, I'm gonna
be there from noon to one. I'm probably gonna come
a little early because I got to check out some
of this stuff. But we're gonna have the prize wheel
where you can spin the prize to win some or
sprint the wheel. Don't spend the prize, you gotta win
it first. You can spin the wheel to win some
(07:17):
free prizes like tickets for unlimited trolley rides later and again,
that website is go railroad days dot com or at
the Union Pacific Railroad Museum is where you can get
those tickets. Isabelle, I've got another question for you. Will
there be any rail cars, like old railcars that you
(07:39):
can walk through.
Speaker 2 (07:40):
At the Rails West Museum that's just down the street.
There are old cars that you can see and kind
of take pictures with that are really really cool to see.
Speaker 3 (07:49):
How long have you been there?
Speaker 2 (07:50):
About a year?
Speaker 3 (07:50):
About all over a year? Okay, how long has the
museum been operating?
Speaker 2 (07:55):
So the museum opened in the early two thousands, around
like two thousand and three ishpe belief, and so it's
been around for about twenty years, and it's really had
a lot of evolution since then. Things twenty years ago
are not the same as now. And so even if
you've been once and you've been once ten years ago
or as a kid when it was the public Library
(08:16):
of Council Bluffs. It is definitely worth a stop back.
Things are constantly improving and constantly changing. That's one of
our goals is to always, you know, stay up with
technology and stay up with how we tell our story
and making sure that it's always an accurate story. And
so if you haven't been in a while, this is
a perfect opportunity to stop back over and see what's new,
(08:39):
what's changed, learn something new about Council Bluffs, about this
area's history.
Speaker 1 (08:44):
It sounds like a lot of fun. I'm very excited
about it. And Isabelle knows this, but when you first
came in here to talk about this, I didn't have
a lot of information.
Speaker 3 (08:52):
I mean I had a lot. You gave me information, but.
Speaker 1 (08:55):
You know, typical of me, I didn't read it all.
So I was a little in the about what this
was all about. And you have laid it out perfectly,
and this is gonna this is gonna be a lot
of fun.
Speaker 3 (09:06):
I'm excited about this. Yes, say and bring the kids.
Speaker 2 (09:09):
Yeah, it's great unlimited kids with your tickets. So you know,
it's a perfect opportunity to get all the cousins together
and bring them all over. So twenty dollars for two
adults and unlimited kids, and then any extra adults are
ten dollars.
Speaker 1 (09:21):
And then you know, with all those kids around, then
they've got all that extra energy.
Speaker 2 (09:24):
There's Bayliss Park, yes, exactly, send them over to the
park to run.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
It should be a great time. We're looking forward to it.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
We're going to be there with the price Wheel from
noon to one and it runs from nine to five.
The Railroad Museum. How about an address for that.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
Two hundred Pearl Street.
Speaker 3 (09:39):
That's easy, very hundred Pearl Street. Ye.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Council Bluff's gone through a lot of changes in the
last couple of years.
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Oh, definitely, yeah, a lot of improvements. Yes, yeah, down
there is gorgeous. So if you haven't been to downtown
Council Bluffs you should definitely come by on railroad days
and take it all in. The weather should be nice too,
hopefully fingers crossed.
Speaker 1 (09:54):
So when you finally leave the railroad, maybe go work
for the Chamber of Commerce.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I think that'd be a excellent.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Spuff you sell the city. Well, well, thank you so
much for joining me today, Isabella. It was so great
to talk to you.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
Yes, thank you for having me and we will see
you at railroad Days.
Speaker 1 (10:11):
That website again is go railroad days dot com.
Popular Podcasts
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Decisions, Decisions
Welcome to "Decisions, Decisions," the podcast where boundaries are pushed, and conversations get candid! Join your favorite hosts, Mandii B and WeezyWTF, as they dive deep into the world of non-traditional relationships and explore the often-taboo topics surrounding dating, sex, and love. Every Monday, Mandii and Weezy invite you to unlearn the outdated narratives dictated by traditional patriarchal norms. With a blend of humor, vulnerability, and authenticity, they share their personal journeys navigating their 30s, tackling the complexities of modern relationships, and engaging in thought-provoking discussions that challenge societal expectations. From groundbreaking interviews with diverse guests to relatable stories that resonate with your experiences, "Decisions, Decisions" is your go-to source for open dialogue about what it truly means to love and connect in today's world. Get ready to reshape your understanding of relationships and embrace the freedom of authentic connections—tune in and join the conversation!