Largest Operating Lionel Toy Train Museum in the U.S.
In 1964, Red Atwood became interested in collecting Lionel O gauge
trains. As time went on, his collection and dreams outgrew his home. The
current display is housed in a large building showing a diesel train that
runs from East Coast to West Coast as well as separate showcases for steam
and frontier trains. The museum features 4,000 feet of track, 35,000
hand-cut wood ties, 120 automatic switches, and 20 to 25 trains operating at
the same time with an automated control system and inter-train telephone communications.
Address: Trainland U.S.A., 3135
Highway 117N, Colfax, Iowa 50054; 515-674-3813. Email:
red@trainland-usa.com. Web:
http://www.trainland-usa.com.
The Oldest Dairy Queen
in the United States
Built in 1945 as franchise #10, this Dairy Queen was the oldest existing
Dairy Queen in the U.S. Unfortunately, it was torn down in 2006 to make room for
a Jimmy Johns sandwich shop. Alas.
I don't know where the new oldest Dairy Queen shop is. If you know, let me
know.
Address: Dairy Queen, 1634 W.
Broadway Street, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501-3813; 712-322-8801. Web:
http://www.dairyqueen.com.
