Marshall County Railroad Historical Society

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

First of all, thank you to those of you who have donated to MCRHS since the inception of the Blue Rapids Community Foundation. Your donations allowed us to accomplish the previously stated goal of removing the wood crossing planks and putting down an asphalt surface for the two crossings on Genesee Street in Blue Rapids and the Nebraska and Colorado crossings in Waterville. This project had a total cost of $9,188.54 and would not have been possible without the generosity of previous donors. A short term goal is to raise funds to pay for an Echo SRM 410U Brush Cutter. The Dogwood and other brush along the rails is a challenge to keep up with. A longer term goal that would be good for the local farmers and the RR would be a hard surface crossing at Vista RD east of Blue Rapids. Aside from that, we continue to have maintenance expenses for both trackage and equipment.

Mission

The Marshall County Railroad Historical Society was formed in May of 2000 to acquire, preserve and maintain the track on the Central Branch Union Pacific Railroad in Marshall County and to develop educational programs which provide the public with an understanding and appreciation of the historic and natural significance of the railroad in Marshall County.

Profile

The Central Branch Railroad was incorporated in 1859 as the Atchison and Pikes Peak Railroad with permission to build west to the Colorado border towards Denver or Pikes Peak. This makes the CBRR one of the oldest railroads in Kansas. 2019 marked the 160th anniversary of the CBRR.

MCRHS owns approximately 12 miles of track from the Marshall-Washington County line east to 12th Rd. Rail rides originate in either Blue Rapids or Waterville. The most common ride is from Blue Rapids east across the Big Blue River to 12th Rd and back. The Bridge over the Big Blue River is approximately 540 feet long and about 65 ft above the river at normal river levels.

Our rail rides include families, school groups, nursing homes, tour groups, and any other group looking for a different adventure. As part of our educational mission, with each ride there is a brief history of the Central Branch Railroad including its use as an orphan train and a POW train.