HISTORY OF THE RAILROAD HIGHLIGHTED THIS WEEKEND

JACKSON -- Two free presentations concerning the history of railroads mark opening weekend for the St. Louis Iron Mountain Steam Railway.

The weekend kicks off Friday with a presentation, "Jesse James Railroads and Banks," by Howard Noble, chairman of the history department at Mineral Area College.

Saturday a program entitled "The Significance of the Railroads in the Opening of the West" will be presented by Craig Miner of Wichita State University. Also Saturday a series of Houck Railroad slides will be shown by Robert White of Southeast Missouri State University.

Both programs will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Jackson School Auditorium, 117 W. Madison.

The lectures are sponsored by the Friends of Steam Railroading and Missouri Humanities Council.

The steam train begins operation Saturday with half-priced rides at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. On Sunday, train rides at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. also will be half-priced.

The dinner train Saturday from 5-7 p.m. also has a special price of $14.50 per person for opening weekend.

For more information, call 243-1688.