Steam Locomotive Coming to Missouri
May/05/2011
Friday, May 27: Cheyenne, WY, to North Platte, NE
Saturday, May 28: North Platte, NE to Marysville, KS
Sunday, May 29: Marysville, KS to Kansas City, MO
On arrival at Kansas City begins the Little Rock Express – Union Pacific’s Great Excursion Adventure.
Monday, May 30: Kansas City, MO
Little Rock Express
Public Display, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kansas City Union Station
30 W. Pershing Road
Tuesday, May 31: Kansas City, MO to Jefferson City, MO
Wednesday, June 1
Public Display, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Union Pacific tracks at the end of Missouri Blvd., north of W. Main Street
Thursday, June 2: Jefferson City to St. Louis
Friday, June 3
Public Display, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Union Pacific tracks at South Ewing Avenue & Papin Street
A Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) transmitter was installed on one of the railcars that travels with No. 844. The GPS system has been integrated with a map on UP’s Web site at www.up.com. Enter "Steam" in the search box on the homepage for a shortcut to the map. Web site visitors will be able to access route maps with varying amounts of detail which are updated every five minutes showing No. 844’s location.
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Water, Water Everywhere
May/05/2011
That isn't to say that using social media to keep people informed is bad. In my hometown of Caruthersville, where a series of levees and floodwalls is currently holding back a record-high Mississippi River, friends are doing a fantastic job providing "ground zero" reports of actions being taken to protect the city. Even the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has taken to the internet, setting up various Facebook pages to inform the public about ongoing activities along the river. The posting of photos by individuals and public entities provides momentary glimpses into conditions along the river.
Every silver lining is surrounded by a cloud, though, as evidenced by the Corps' pages, where the general public expounds volumes of "expert" advise about current flood-fighting activities and takes every opportunity to bash the Corps. For its part, the Corps could greatly improve its use of this new information tool. At the onset of the flood, the Corps used the social media forum to provide residents along the flooding rivers and lakes with the latest, most accurate news, and though that has not changed, Corps posts over the past week have taken a very subtle but noticeable turn toward image management. Perhaps it's only natural since the Corps doesn't have to search hard to find critics of its actions over the past few days. The Corps has been forced to make some very difficult decisions the past few days, and it is to be commended for taking its time in making those tough choices. But it has done a poor job explaining how those actions will improve the situation or addressing the plethora of false information in the comments sections of its own Facebook pages.
Will 260 tons of explosives trigger the New Madrid Fault? The Corps could probably provide a better answer than Jane Doe in Dexter, although CNN chose to air Ms. Doe's less-than-qualified opinion. By the way, according to a person who has actually handled the type of explosive mixture used by the Corps, the explosion that created the levee breach at Birds Point generated an upward blast, not that a downward blast would have caused an earthquake either. Of course, the person who shared this information probably would not be considered an expert on the matter, and, thanks to this column, his opinion is now out there for anyone to read.
Gary Figgins, Editor
(photo by NORMAN SWAFFORD)
Cinco de Mayo: An American Holiday
May/05/2011
Not to be confused with Mexico's Independence Day, which is September 16, Cinco de Mayo has closer ties to the American Civil War than it does with Mexico's independence. The day actually commemorates the Battle of Puebla, in which a heavily outnumbered Mexican army defeated the French army, considered to be the strongest military force of the day. It was 1861, and the United States was at war with itself. Many historians believe that the French invasion of Mexico went beyond the desire to control that country; it was an attempt to help further the destruction of the American Union by placing the French in a solid position to assist and supply the Confederacy. The French eventually defeated Mexico, occupying the country from 1864-1867, however the American Civil War was in its final months.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage in the United States and the state of Puebla.
Southeast Missouri Flooding
May/05/2011
Record river levels
combined with torrential rains the past week have
caused historic flooding in Southern Missouri the
past week, with the Mississippi, Black and St.
Francis Rivers in Southeast Missouri and Table Rock
Lake in Southwest Missouri all leaving their banks.
While Branson and most other Southwest Missouri attractions are still open for business despite the level of Table Rock Lake, attractions on the other side of the state are not faring as well. Big Oak Tree State Park and Towosahgy State Historic Site near East Prairie have been closed due to the treacherous flooding of the Mississippi. Floodwalls in Cape Girardeau and Caruthersville are holding back the continually rising waters, but the Mississippi is not expected to crest until this coming weekend. Parts of Poplar Bluff were evacuated last week due to flooding from the Black River.
On the Mississippi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers breached a levee at Birds Point near East Prairie Monday night, turning 133,000 acres of Missouri farmland into a holding basin to relieve pressure on other parts of the levee system. To put it in perspective, the new "lake" is larger than the combined areas of Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Norfork Lake, Lake Wappapello and Mark Twain Lake.
The activation of the New Madrid Floodway by the Corps, which lowered the water levels in Cairo, Illinois within several hours, is expected to have little or no impact on other points downriver. A spokesman for the Corps explained that the water diverted into the New Madrid Floodway would be routed back into the river just north of New Madrid. In Caruthersville, the city's floodwall can hold waters up to a maximum stage of 50 feet. The river is expected to reach 49.5 feet by Saturday.
While Branson and most other Southwest Missouri attractions are still open for business despite the level of Table Rock Lake, attractions on the other side of the state are not faring as well. Big Oak Tree State Park and Towosahgy State Historic Site near East Prairie have been closed due to the treacherous flooding of the Mississippi. Floodwalls in Cape Girardeau and Caruthersville are holding back the continually rising waters, but the Mississippi is not expected to crest until this coming weekend. Parts of Poplar Bluff were evacuated last week due to flooding from the Black River.
On the Mississippi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers breached a levee at Birds Point near East Prairie Monday night, turning 133,000 acres of Missouri farmland into a holding basin to relieve pressure on other parts of the levee system. To put it in perspective, the new "lake" is larger than the combined areas of Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, Norfork Lake, Lake Wappapello and Mark Twain Lake.
The activation of the New Madrid Floodway by the Corps, which lowered the water levels in Cairo, Illinois within several hours, is expected to have little or no impact on other points downriver. A spokesman for the Corps explained that the water diverted into the New Madrid Floodway would be routed back into the river just north of New Madrid. In Caruthersville, the city's floodwall can hold waters up to a maximum stage of 50 feet. The river is expected to reach 49.5 feet by Saturday.
Government Shutdown Would Close Missouri Sites
April/04/2011
The shutdown would affect the following Missouri attractions:
• Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Gateway Arch & Old Courthouse), St. Louis
• Harry S Truman National Historic Site, Independence
• Wilson's Creek National Battlefield & Visitors Center, Republic
• George Washington Carver National Monument and Historic Site, Diamond
While, technically, national trails and scenic riverways would also be closed, enforcement will be difficult since National Park Service employees will be furloughed. Accessed to some would be blocked by gates, while signs would be posted at others.
Other national sites:
• California National Historic Trail
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Oregon National Historic Trail
• Ozark National Scenic Riverways
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Sante Fe National Historic Trail
Free Admission to Gateway Arch
March/03/2011
In addition to waiving entrance fees throughout the week, national parks and park partners are offering programs as part of National Park Week festivities. On Saturday, April 16, many parks will be looking for volunteers to help with projects and on Saturday, April 23, kids will be the special guests for the 5th annual Junior Ranger Day. More details at www.nps.gov/npweek.
Additional fee-free days scheduled for 2011 are June 21 (the first day of summer), September 21 (National Public Lands Day), and November 11-13 (Veterans Day Weekend).
All Aboard!
March/03/2011
As a result, Union Pacific’s legendary No. 3985 Challenger steam locomotive will make a goodwill tour starting in Kansas City, heading east through Jefferson City, Mo., and St. Louis before turning south en route to Little Rock. Details regarding the numerous steam locomotive stops will be announced soon.
Branson Air Service Expands
February/02/2011
AirTran Airways
Expanding Service In Branson
-Airline Responds to Passenger
Demand for More Flights to Popular Vacation
Destination-
ORLANDO, Fla. (February 22,
2011) – AirTran
Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc.
(NYSE: AAI), and the Branson Airport today announced
new nonstop service, beginning in May, to Branson
from Baltimore/Washington, Chicago (Midway) and
Houston (Hobby).
Last year
8 million travelers visited Branson’s world famous
hotels, took in its wide array of top-flight
entertainment options and enjoyed the area’s other
attractions.
“Branson
has been one of the top travel destinations in the
U.S. for residents of Chicago, Houston and our
nation's capital region for several years," said Jeff
Bourk, Branson Airport’s executive director. "This
new air service will make visiting ‘The Live Music
Show Capital’ easier and more affordable than ever
while connecting Branson to virtually every corner of
the country."