IRON MOUNTAIN RAILROAD SET FOR SEASON WITH WESTERN FLAIR

JACKSON -- When the "All Aboard" is sounded this spring for the 1993 season, passengers riding the steam-powered, St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway will be treated to something new.

Those booking passage on the tourist railroad's Saturday dinner train will enjoy a western flavor to their meal and trip, according to Mary Strong, operations manager.

"Cowboys and cowgirls will not only serve the meal, but will help host and entertain with a western flair," she explains. "Western shoot-outs and wagon trains were in their heyday by the time the Iron Mountain was robbed by Jesse James gang in 1874. Since the Iron Mountain Line was built in 1858, this year's Western Dinner Trains are certainly in keeping with that era."

The meal will be typically western: beef stew, country fried chicken, or barbecue ribs, "spuds," apple pie, iced tea, and the list goes on.

"The old-time piano player was a must in the old saloons, and the Iron Mountain's piano player will flaunt her own. The dance hall girls will pose for pictures, and may even sing a song or two," Strong says.

The Iron Mountain's 1993 season officially begins April 3-4. But thanks to a diesel locomotive the railroad acquired several years ago, and the installation of heating units in the two passenger coaches, the railroad now ope~rates special event and charter trips throughout the winter months. The most recent was a "murder mystery" excursion on Feb. 13, and a Valentine's Day dinner on Feb. 14. Another "pre-season" murder mystery excursion is scheduled Saturday and again on March 20.

The Iron Mountain offers three regularly scheduled trips of different lengths along its 18 miles of track between Jackson and Delta.

This year, while passengers are waiting for their train to leave the Jackson depot, they'll be able to view exhibits and artifacts in the Iron Mountain Railroad Museum, located in a railroad caboose near the depot.

Strong said the museum is a project of the Friends of Steam Railroad that was organized in 1989 to preserve the equipment, legend and lore of railroading, especially steam-powered railroading.

"The Friends felt there wasn't a better way to share their love of railroading than to open a museum that will be housed in a caboose. The group has contacted Professor Bob White at Southeast Missouri State University to help them get their project off the ground," Strong said.

White's Museum Studies class adopted the Iron Mountain Railroad Museum as a class project. Students began their work in January and should have the displays ready by the time the class ends in May, said Strong.

The Iron Mountain is looking for volunteers to work on the railroad, said Strong. Those interested can contact her at the depot.

Persons can call 1-800-455-RAIL, or 243-1704.