Bill Mundt and the Oelwein Railyard

It is not necessarily the extensive railroad artifacts found at the Oelwein Railroad Museum (also known as Hub City Heritage Corporation) that impresses a visitor. It is the enthusiasm and knowledge of the museum’s president Bill Mundt (top photo.) On a recent stop at one of 42N country’s largest collection of railroad cars and gear, Bill provided a personal one-hour tour of the various buildings and rail cards, including a look inside this 1950 diesel locomotive (seen above) located in Oelwein, Iowa.

Annually in mid-August Oelwein celebrates railroad days. This year the museum volunteers are refurbishing a wooden Rock Island Railroad caboose for display, one of only two of this type known to be in existence. Seek out Bill or one of the other volunteers to give you an informative peek at the not too distant past. Know that.