News
Some History of Sheridan’s Passenger Trains
In November of 1892, the Burlington and Missouri Railroad, which had originally planned to go through Buffalo, changed its route due to the Johnson County Range War and turned west near Ulm and came instead to Sheridan. Buffalo, at the time of the 1890 census, had a higher population than did Sheridan. Buffalo’s population was 1,087, and Johnson County had 2,357 residents. Sheridan on the other hand, could only boast of 281 residents. Even Sheridan County, which had been created only four years before, only had 1,972 residents. The arrival of the railroad had a great deal to do with making Sheridan the town it is today.
In a Sheridan Enterprise April 2, 1892, article, Will Take In Sheridan. Information is received here from a Burlington official of high position that the B. &. M. has adopted, of two different surveys, the one running into Sheridan. The decision will be a source of great joy to the Sheridan people, who have been trembling in a state of uncertainty in the matter. Buffalo’s turn will come next. — From the Buffalo Echo. A private letter received by a well-known gentleman here the first of the week from Newcastle confirms the above. Mayor Burritt, of Buffalo, also says the track will be laid twenty miles west of the Powder River by August 1st and that he looks for the road to reach Sheridan before snow flies. Although the trains hauled livestock, coal and freight, they also carried passengers. During the ‘Golden Age’ of railroad travel, roughly from 1900 to 1950, the trains were busy with travelers from all over the United States, traveling for business and pleasure. Sheridan had their share of people visiting the area.
In a Sheridan Post article in June 1893, an article reprinted from the Brayton Nebraska Banner says this about the Sheridan area. The Pride of Wyoming and Future Metropolis. Capital of Sheridan County. Surrounded with fertile valley soil, stock raising land, great coal fields, undeveloped valuable gold deposit.
On Monday morning of last week, we started for Sheridan, Wyoming, one day in advance of the excursion. We arrived at the end of this journey, a distance of nearly 700 miles over the well-equipped B&M. Railroad, on Tuesday evening at 6:30. We remained in Sheridan and tributary rural district until Saturday morning. This furnished us sufficient time to observe everything in sight, experience the climate, form the acquaintance of many citizens; consequently, we feel that the opportunity afforded us temporary residence enough to warrant the expression of a fair opinion of what there is yet to be developed in Sheridan County and also the inducements that are offered to energetic businessmen, industrious farmers and ambitious miners. The atmosphere is pure and healthful, the farming soil is of the most prolific kind and the water is refreshing to drink and excellent for bathing purposes, being entirely free from any injurious properties….
The article continues talking about the businessmen who are living in Sheridan and starting business. Many of the names are very familiar with today’s residents.
Some of the prominent men who reside in Sheridan and have business and residence additions are: H. H. Coffeen, Wyoming’s congressmen, who is of the firm of Coffeen and Son, general merchandise dealers; H. 0. Alger, who is very popular, of the Sheridan Land company who has a valuable partner in the person of M. A. Upton, an old Omaha real estate man; C.H. Grinnell a man of considerable money and much richer in unwavering business energy; A. J. Nielsen, of the young and hustling firm of Nielsen & Daniels who owns the Nielsen Heights……
The B.& M. people have selected Sheridan as a division station, they have erected near the depot one of the most modem and as pretty a 150-room hotel as there is in the west. Already the ground has been chosen for the car shop. A survey has been made through the southern portion and direct out to Yellowstone Park and one has been run northwest to Billings, and the objective points in view are San Francisco for the former and Puget Sound the latter. This will give Sheridan a junction point for two great railways as well as make her one of the best division cities in the United States. Two large flouring mills are kept in motion day and night, a first-class brewery is kept busy converting the bailey that is raised by the farmers into liquor, a fine new courthouse will soon be constructed, the city hall foundation is in preparation for the outside walls, and the ground is being put into shape for the electric light plant building, which will soon be commenced. Sheridan has some of the most metropolitan dry goods, groceries, drug, hardware and clothing stores than we have seen outside of Omaha and Lincoln. As to Sheridan, she is sure to be a winner of much success for these and many other positive reasons. She has all the natural resources that are required, some yet entirely undeveloped, present railroad accommodation and the best facilities of this kind in certain prospect….and the spirit of welcome that is extended to all strangers who enter the portals of this blooming northern Wyoming city which might be called a prodigy.
With the advertising of the comforts of train travel, the time tables posted in the Sheridan Newspapers went from this small notice, posted in a May 18, 1893 Sheridan Post,
To this more detailed time table in a December 1897 Sheridan Enterprise.
Lincoln, St Joseph, Denver, Omaha, Kansas City, Cheyenne. Chicago, St. Louis, Salt Lake, and all San Francisco. Portland. All points east, south and west. Trains arrive and depart as Follows: No. 42 Passenger, daily, all points east, south and west: Arrive, 12:30, Depart 12:45 P. M. Freight, daily. Newcastle, and Intermediate stations, Arrive, 7:30 P M. Depart 8 p.m. No. 41. Passenger, daily, Billings, Helena, Butte, Portland, and points west. Arrive,2 p.m., depart, 2:20 pm.Freight, daily, Billings and intermediate stations. Arrive, 7:05 depart, 9:00
Sleeping, dining and reclining chair cars (seats free) on through trains. Tickets sold and baggage checked to any point in the United
States and Canada. For information, maps, timetables and tickets call on or write to W. M. Foster, Agent, Or J. FRANCIS, General Passenger agent, Omaha, Neb.
During the early 1900s, train travel was the best way to get from place to place. We sometimes forget, with our airplane and automobile travel, that the train was a big thing. Faster than riding a horse across the country, cleaner and more comfortable than a stagecoach, travelers began to flock to train depots to get their tickets for the train.
At the height of the railroads, there were three classes of travel. The wealthy traveled first class. Gourmet meals, prepared in a well-appointed kitchen, gold in-laid plates and tableware; velvet covered comfortable seats, and fairly comfortable sleeper cars. Ticket prices all depended upon the type of class (first, second, or third class) and how far you were going. For example, in 1890, a second-class ticket from Cincinnati, OH, to Topeka, KS, cost $15. When the Transcontinental railroad opened, a first-class ticket from Omaha to Sacramento was $111, a second-class ticket $80, and a third-class ticket $40.
From the Inter Mountain Globe newspaper out of Hulett, Wyo., 1907 article. Rate Will Be Less Than 2 Cents A Mile: Omaha, July 20. ….The Burlington announces that commencing today, the passenger fares between Lead and Chicago and St. Louis will be reduced by $2.50. The fare to Chicago will be $80.40 and to St. Louis $85.55.
Ben Vannoy came to Wyoming from North Carolina in 1905. He said that about the train trip.
March 24, 1905: “Myself and Tom, my neighbor,when down to the depot in Marion, Virginia. The agent said he could sell us tickets to Sheridan for $39.00. We unloaded our trunks then and there. Also the lunch boxes our mothers had sent along.” Later, they “….found a boarding house….where we got a good meal for 15 cents.”
On March 27, he writes, “We left Lincoln Nebraska, that night. Next morning, March 27, 1905, was my 21st birthday. It lasted thru Nebraska, across South Dakota, and well into Wyoming,”
In 1935, Vannoy again rode the train, this time from Wyoming to Alliance, Neb. “…..The black gentleman came and set beside me. He was a Pullman cook. He stayed in Seneca, Neb., and he would catch the night train there, cook breakfast, catch the train east in Gillette and cook supper on that train.”
The passenger trains ran between Sheridan and all points east and west for many years. The advantages was one didn’t have to drive, and could enjoy the trip and the view of the countryside as the train chugged along.
But the trains had one disadvantage, once you arrived near your destination, you had to find another form of transportation. In the late 1800’s, stagecoaches took passengers from the rail stop to where they needed to go. Later, relatives or friends met the train to pickup arriving passengers. As cars became faster and more reliable, and roads were improved, people began driving instead of taking the train. The passenger planes also took their toll on the railroads. Trains began losing passengers and thus losing money. The last passenger train from Alliance, Neb., through Sheridan to Billings, Mont. ran on Aug. 24, 1969.
There are still a few trains that run in North America, one that is well known is the train tour from Toronto to Vancouver, Canada. Trains are still used in Europe as well. There has been talk currently about perhaps bringing back the passenger service via the rails, but one will have to wait and see. For now, riding the train out of Sheridan is a part of the past.
Ann Sipes
February 5, 2022 at 10:12 am
I loved reading this story about the trains coming to Sheridan. No trains couth out of Sheridan in the 1950’s. My grandparents came to Casper where my folks lived and they drove us to Laramie to catch train to San Francisco. They took me with them and we visited their youngest daughter, Lois, A wonderful trip.
greg olver
February 5, 2022 at 2:21 pm
very cool, Ben Vannoy was my great grand father
dan wagers
February 5, 2022 at 6:53 pm
The article mentioned a 150 room hotel in Sheridan along with 2 flour mills; curious as what were their names? I lived in Sheridan from 1944-53 on Alger near the old flour mill where Big and Little Goose meet. As kids we played around there an would go to the auctions of the “junk” they would sell. If it rained they would hold it inside which was a adventure as we thought it was haunted. Does anyone have a history of it?
BOB ADAMS
February 7, 2022 at 10:08 am
Are you the Dan Wagers whose wedding I was at and an ATO. If sso please contact me. I’m still in Laramie
Bob Adams
Nancy L. Jennings
February 6, 2022 at 7:47 am
We both enjoyed this article and loved the pictures. How special to have your ancestor’s letters. Good Job! Always look forward to your pieces.
Harriett Oleson
February 6, 2022 at 10:47 am
So maybe it would be better, to move the old engine to a tourist early railroad information center on the other side of the tracks. Maybe it would be better to have a complex of the engine historical center, old depot, newer depot and the Sheridan Inn. A complex on a main exit {5th Street} off the interstate, lodging at several motels, Peter D’s RV parking, the Game & Fish center and information center/rest area, Museum of the Big Horns. NAAAAAA, it’s better to leave the engine rotting and sinking into the ground, cause a few folks are agin change.
Mark Steingass
February 7, 2022 at 8:58 am
Harriett…safety concerns abound…increased foot traffic from pedestrians crossing the tracks between the Sheridan Inn and the proposed new site to take photos…added traffic flow from the parking area at the proposed site onto 5th street then toward main street…consider how difficult it is now…it’s almost impossible to get out out onto 5th street now from any side street….added to the mix are switching operations over fifth street and longer trains…up to three mile long trains the railroad is hoping to run…I can see a traffic cluster coming that few can imagine…
Mark Steingass
February 7, 2022 at 9:06 am
and also consider Harriett…when increased tourism traffic from that proposed parking area for this “park” has to head east up 5th street and use the underpass on Sheridan Avenue to get into the heart of Sheridan there will be increased traffic on that route also…so new…so nice…sic
Mark Steingass
February 6, 2022 at 10:53 am
…I don’t believe this article mentions what the locomotive engine ID number actually is. maybe I missed it….please leave CB&Q 5631 with its tender car where it has always been…just upgrade the present site, paint the locomotive and put the parts back on that have been in the city hall basement for the past decade….far less taxpayer expense and will also preserve the old brick walkway that has been situated there since the turn of the century…
Phillip Johnson
February 6, 2022 at 1:46 pm
My maternal Grandparents rode the train from
Washington D C to Sheridan in the early 50’s
and before. Our pioneer families from 1883
Rode the train to Omaha, Chicago and
Washington D C in all the intervening years.
Save this train, PLEASE.
Kathleen Depies
February 6, 2022 at 3:34 pm
Loved taking train trips with my children! I told them stories about long ago train trips from the old West. They loved the adventure. I was fortunate to ride the train in Sheridan on a grade school trip. A very happy memory.
Jean Marron Harrid
February 6, 2022 at 5:44 pm
I was born and raised in Sheridan as were both my parents.
Several members of my family worked for the railroad including my Dad. Bernard Marron snd his Dad, John Marron.
The railroad was a big deal in the area and lively hood for many. The locomotive ought to stay put, made to be an inviting stop …PLEASE LEAVE IT NEAR DEPOT.
Edward Trujillo
February 6, 2022 at 6:13 pm
This was a great article even though I new of the original choice of buffalo for the Tran track’s and depot.
The old steam engine at rotary Park is a perfect example of what helped tame and bring the people who would make the towns and businesses that mostly are still here today at least the towns are and the people.
Ni matter what you do history can never be changed. NO MATTER WHAT YOU REMOVE OR TRY TO HIDE. LEAVE THING’S BE.
Mark Steingass
February 7, 2022 at 10:32 am
…thing is…this proposed rail park is going to be a “tourist destination” in an area that already has severe traffic congestion issues…when train operations block 5th street those “traffic issues” will be intensified not only on 5th street but also on any side street intersecting 5th street also affecting traffic flow from Sheridan Avenue attempting to enter 5th street or also by diverted traffic from the proposed “rail park tourist destination” attempting to use Sheridan Avenue via under the railroad overpass…this railroad train and traffic congestion problem/issue is described at length in the Railroad District Master Plan written back in 2012…today’s longer trains with even longer trains anticipated will intensify or compound the traffic flow issue…
Mark Steingass
February 7, 2022 at 12:37 pm
…and incidentally even when the traffic light is installed at the Sheridan Avenue and 5th Street intersection most likely traffic will be backed up considerably on Sheridan Avenue trying to enter 5th Street and also at times traffic will be stopped (at a stand still) on 5th Street beginning from the parking lot at the proposed “rail park tourist attraction” all the way up (east) on 5th Street (or vice versa) to the yet to be installed traffic light at 5th Street and Sheridan Avenue…because of rail switching operations or train movements across 5th Street, even with the installation of the new traffic light, increased tourist traffic associated with the “rail park tourist attraction” and the movement of BNSF train/switching operations will most likely create a “cluster” of traffic problems…
Harriett Oleson
February 7, 2022 at 6:32 pm
Wow Mark that is a lot of negatives about the whole area, not just the engine preservation plan. Apparently the only positive is to let the old engine rot without a shelter and sink into the ground. Very sad waste of our past history, that could be a positive for the future.
Mark Steingass
February 8, 2022 at 2:33 pm
…good points Harriett but the present site could be significantly upgraded with far less expenditure, time and trouble and a roof could be placed over the locomotive where it currently sits..also the contractor stated they can’t be held responsible for any incidental damage to the locomotive if it is moved…
Charles Sonnenberg
February 7, 2022 at 7:27 pm
I think these higher ups need to stop spending sheridan tax payers dollar…..the train has been there for as long as I remember…..why move it so please leave
Terry and Linda Layher
February 7, 2022 at 7:32 pm
Leave the engine where it is!
Mary Ann Clark
February 12, 2022 at 8:52 am
I was born and raised in Sheridan (a long time ago.) My dad was a fireman, shoveling coal in the old steam engines. I remember when diesel engines came to Sheridan. My uncle also worked for CB&Q until he retired.