“The Burlington Comes to Wyoming”
Written by broebling on May 9, 2017
Press Release – The Campbell County Rockpile Museum is excited to welcome James Ehernberger for his presentation, “The Burlington Comes to Wyoming” on Thursday, May 11th at 7:00 p.m.
Railroad construction during the 1880 era was greater in the west than any other decade in the history of this great country. The first Burlington line reached Wyoming in 1887 with the construction of the Cheyenne and Burlington Railroad, and the arrival of their train in December of that year. The Burlington and Missouri River Railroad arrived in Newcastle in November 1889 and continued pushing westward. The line reached Moorcroft in 1890, Gillette in 1891, and Sheridan in November 1892.
The livestock trade was one of the great revenue sources for railroads during that time frame. Large herds of Texas Longhorn cattle were driven north and were pastured on the rich Wyoming grasslands. Railroads played a vital role in the movement of livestock.
James L. Ehernberger of Cheyenne has been researching Wyoming railroad history for nearly sixty-five years. He is well-known as a railroad photographer, historian and author. A 34-year railroad career with the Union Pacific contributed to his interest in railroad history and preservation. He has authored or co-authored 15 railroad books, and most recently has produced 38 locomotive pictorial books for the Union Pacific Historical Society. Many of his articles have been published in railroad historical magazines. He has been featured on several PBS documentaries, including BBC and a German PBS station. Please join us at the Rockpile Museum on May 11th to learn about the huge impact of the railroad on the development of northeast Wyoming.
For additional information about this event or the Campbell County Rockpile Museum, please call CCRM at (307) 682-5723 or visit www.rockpilemuseum.com.
