James H. Andrew Railroad Museum & History Center
The James H. Andrew Railroad Museum & History Center at the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad is a beautiful 9000 square foot facility featuring a research library, theater, and displays featuring memorabilia from all eras of railroading in Iowa. With displays of track equipment, toy trains, dining car china, passenger train timetables, lanterns and more, our museum truly does have something to interest everyone.
James H. Andrew Biography
James H. Andrew was born April 19, 1921 in Greene County, IA. Among his many accomplishments, Jim served as Quartermaster in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was assigned to the 4,173rd Quartermaster depot company with his job involving shipping military supplies rail. As troop train commander he developed a great love of trains and served 30 years in the military retiring with the rank of Colonel.
He married life long partner Alice Ann Thompson in 1948, and has two daughters, Karen and Jane, and a son James O. Jim became a career farmer spending many years in the profession.
After retiring from farming he returned to his love of trains and collected railroad items, amassing a large collection. Many of Jim's items are on display in the museum and are timeless reminders from the glory days of railroading. We are very thankful to Jim, as well as many other individuals and businesses, for making the museum what it is today.
We hope you will enjoy the museum and pay a return visit!
The Mission Statement for the Iowa Railroad Historical Society
The mission of the Iowa Railroad Historical Society is to educate our guests on the history of the people who built, operated and utilized the vast network of railroads that have enhanced all our lives.
Keeping railroad history alive for the future
Since opening at the end of May this year we have had more than 14,500 visitors from around the nation. We immediately instituted a museum survey and found the public overwhelmingly favored the museum as well as its railroad contents.
Achievements, because of your support in donations, and volunteer time made possible this year:
The beautiful 9,000 square foot railroad museum housing more than 4,000 rare and unusual railroad artifacts donated by James H. Andrew as well as other collections.
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