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 a 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.  

The culvert that washed out west of Waterville has been repaired, thanks to the work of Greg Carlson and Carlson Utulitie LLC of Topeka.  

Using funds raised through the BRCF/GMCF we have purchased a 10' x20' storage shed that we intend to use as a small museum, located in the Blue Rapids rail yard.

The 10 to 12 inches of rainfall over a 3 day period in eaarly April 2026 caused some significant flood damage along our rails between Blue Rapids and Waterville.  The two main areas affected were the bridge over Fawn Creek and a washout of about 80-100 ft east of Musil Farms. Until such time as repairs are made, we cannot provide rides or move equipment between the two towns. At this point in time the cost of those repairs is unknown.

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.  MCRHS is in its 27th year of existance with May of 2025 marking our 25th anniversary.

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.  Construction began in 1865 and the rails reached the Big Blue River at Irving in December of 1867.  Waterville became the terminus in January of 1868, 100 miles from Atchison. This makes the CBRR one of the oldest railroads in Kansas.  2019 marked the 160th anniversary of the CBRR and 2025 will be the 160th anniversary of the railroad reaching Waterville.

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.