STEAM RAILROAD ON RIGHT TRACK FISCALLY FOR ITS SIXTH SEASON

JACKSON -- When the engineer on the St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railroad's Engine Number Five sounds the whistle and pulls back the throttle on Saturday, April 6, it will mark the opening of the sixth season of the Jackson-based, steam-powered tourist railroad.

Since it started in April 1986, the Iron Mountain has become a popular tourist attraction for thousands of vacationers, train enthusiasts and local residents.

The railroad also opens its new season without financial worries of the past.

Bob Adams, past president of the railroad, said the Iron Mountain's financial condition is much improved this year.

"We had some real cash flow problems because of unexpected and expensive repairs to our steam locomotive," he said, "but those are behind us, and with the outstanding work of Mary Strong (operations manager), and the operating personnel, the board of directors is looking forward to the time when the railroad will be able to stand on its own without any additional outside capital."

Last year, 18,250 passengers rode the Iron Mountain. Strong said the railroad hopes to go above the 20,000 mark this year.

During its first year of operation, 15,000 people rode the train. In 1987 and 1988, there were 20,000 passengers. In 1989, 17,500 rode the steam train.

Strong said the tourist line railroad is growing because it has become much more aggressive in marketing and selling itself and tourism throughout the region.

"The railroad has become a viable part of the Cape-Jackson area by working with other tourist attractions to promote the area," she said. "We provide package plans that allow the people on the bus tours to ride the train then visit the tourist attractions in the area, or ride the train after they have made the tour."

The railroad has planned a number of special events again this season.

In addition to the regular Saturday and Sunday trips, and special charters, Strong said during the months of July and August, the Iron Mountain will operate a round trip from Jackson to Gordonville each Wednesday, at 1 p.m.

Strong said the railroad's volunteer operating people have already started preparing for the first trip of the year.

"We're all pretty excited about the coming season, and working very hard to get ready for it," said Strong.

The season begins the weekend of April 6-7, which has been proclaimed Railroad Heritage Week in Jackson. Strong said a $1,549 grant received this week by the Friends of Steam Railroading will enable the Iron Mountain to present a series of programs, speakers and special activities dealing with the history of steam railroading in Southeast Missouri. The grant was provided by the Missouri Humanities Council.

Strong said the event will include programs on the "Jesse James Gang," who made the Iron Mountain Railroad's mail and express cars a frequent target. Other programs will focus on the history of the Iron Mountain, which later became the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which merged with the Union Pacific Railroad.

Another special event this year is the Heritage of Missouri Weekend July 20-21, featuring 50 artisans and craftsmen from Silver Dollar City, near Branson.

Strong said this is the first time the Iron Mountain has participated in the Silver Dollar City Craft Guild tour. "We have frequently held craft fairs that were extremely popular, and the guild tour adds a new depth to our offerings," she remarked."We were very fortunate to be added to their 1991 schedule. We expect some very large crowds during the event."

For those who love a good murder mystery, the Iron Mountain will offer a series of "Murder on the Iron Mountain" excursions this season. During the excursions on April 13, Aug. 10, and Oct. 10, the Saturday dinner train will travel to Delta for a seafood buffet. While on the train, passengers will work in groups of four to find clues to reveal the identity of the killer. The event will be presented by Steiger Haus of Ste. Genevieve.

Strong said the murder mystery feature was the most popular special event of the railroad last year.

"We had actors on the train who gave clues to the passengers," she explained. "The passengers had to use the clues to solve the murder before we arrived in Delta. It was so popular we scheduled three of the murder mystery excursions this year."

Another new event this year is Indian Weekend May 4-5. The train station in Jackson will be converted to a museum displaying relics and artifacts of the prehistoric, archaic, Mid-Mississippi and Woodland periods of American Indian tribes.

On Sept. 21-22, the hoboes will return to the Iron Mountain. All of the railroad's operating personnel will be dressed in authentic hobo attire and prepared to discuss the adventurous lifestyle of the railroad hoboes. Hobo campsites will be set up along the tracks, and there will be a hobo camp in Gordonville Park, with a live band and other entertainment. Of course, an authentic hobo stew will be served from the campfire, along with marshmallows.

A Fall Color Breakfast Trip from Jackson to Delta will leave Jackson at 8 a.m. Oct. 20, with photo stops and breakfast served on board.

Other events this season include a Bonnie and Clyde Weekend April 27-28, A Cape Shrine Club Weekend May 25-26, a Mother's (May 12) and Father's (June 16) Day train excursion, Railfan Day on Sept. 28, a Haunted Train Weekend Oct. 26-27, Train Rides with Santa on Nov. 30 and Dec. 14, and a New Year's Eve Party excursion to Delta on Dec. 31.

In addition to the special events, the railroad will operate round trips to Gordonville and Delta on Saturday and Sunday, from April to October. Of course, the always popular train robbers will be lurking along the tracks again this year to rob the train and its passengers.

Strong said the number of advanced bookings for the railroad so far this year is almost double that of last year at this time.

"By this time last year, we had 28 advanced tour bookings. Right now, we have 47 tours booked in," she said.

Strong said the increase in business last year was a direct result of the special promotions and events scheduled by the railroad in cooperation with other local tourist organizations and activities.

In addition to the Cape Girardeau Convention and Tourism Bureau, Strong said the railroad has also received valuable marketing assistance in marketing from Southeast Missouri State University.

Sam Drusch of Cape Girardeau was elected president of the railroad in December. The railroad is operated by a seven-member board of directors, who are also investors in the railroad.

For additional information on the events, tickets, or reservations, contact the Iron Mountain Railroad Depot office in Jackson at 243-1688.