Former Cy Ride Director Bob Bourne, a well-known expert in Iowa transportation history, spoke recently to a virtual audience of Ames Golden K members and guests. Bob, who is very active in the Ames History Museum, focused his remarks and accompanying photos/maps on the events from the mid 1800’s thru 1907 that shaped the development of rail and bus service within Ames and Central Iowa. This included:
1860’s-1880’s–Horsecar driven street railway conveyances were common in Ames and many Iowa cities.
1888–First electric trolley was introduced in Richmond, Va.; however, no electric plant in Ames until 1896, although ISU conducted a feasibility study for electric trolleys, anticipating electricity coming to Ames.
1891-1907–The Ames and ISU “Dinkey” service from Onondaga {now Main} St. to “The Hub” located on ISU Central Campus was a highly successful venture with well-known Ames citizens as incorporators. Transportation for Ames and ISU residents was very profitable, but with the introduction of the steam locomotive in 1884, materials for Campus construction as well as coal were transported via Dinkey. Rail sizes were small, so walking and bike riding on the Dinkey roadbed was common.
1907- Other more efficient modes of transportation caused the Dinkey to stop operations 9/6/2007. The Dinkey served 2.1million passengers {133,000 yearly average} during its 16-year existence.
Bourne concluded his remarks by briefly reviewing passenger rail transportation milestones occurring from 1907-1925, including the Newton & NW and Electric Interurban Railways, which had a terminal located at Lincoln Way and Grand. After 1925, motorized Bus transportation replaced much of the need for electric railway transportation.
Early Ames Transportation
Posted: December 11, 2020 by Joe T Leave a Comment
Former Cy Ride Director Bob Bourne, a well-known expert in Iowa transportation history, spoke recently to a virtual audience of Ames Golden K members and guests. Bob, who is very active in the Ames History Museum, focused his remarks and accompanying photos/maps on the events from the mid 1800’s thru 1907 that shaped the development of rail and bus service within Ames and Central Iowa. This included:
1860’s-1880’s–Horsecar driven street railway conveyances were common in Ames and many Iowa cities.
1888–First electric trolley was introduced in Richmond, Va.; however, no electric plant in Ames until 1896, although ISU conducted a feasibility study for electric trolleys, anticipating electricity coming to Ames.
1891-1907–The Ames and ISU “Dinkey” service from Onondaga {now Main} St. to “The Hub” located on ISU Central Campus was a highly successful venture with well-known Ames citizens as incorporators. Transportation for Ames and ISU residents was very profitable, but with the introduction of the steam locomotive in 1884, materials for Campus construction as well as coal were transported via Dinkey. Rail sizes were small, so walking and bike riding on the Dinkey roadbed was common.
1907- Other more efficient modes of transportation caused the Dinkey to stop operations 9/6/2007. The Dinkey served 2.1million passengers {133,000 yearly average} during its 16-year existence.
Bourne concluded his remarks by briefly reviewing passenger rail transportation milestones occurring from 1907-1925, including the Newton & NW and Electric Interurban Railways, which had a terminal located at Lincoln Way and Grand. After 1925, motorized Bus transportation replaced much of the need for electric railway transportation.
Renewable Energy Group
Posted: December 11, 2020 by Joe T Leave a Comment
Christopher Anderson {pictured}, Senior Analytics Analyst for Ames based Renewable Energy Group {REG} recently spoke at the Thursday weekly Ames Golden K meeting, which continues to be held via ZOOM.
REG, formerly known as West Central Cooperative, has been in business for 20 years. Ames has been its headquarters since 2007, where 300 are currently employed. They have an international presence in Germany and the Netherlands where 850 employees support two bio refineries
Reg’s main energy initiative is to become a major provider of renewable fuels produced domestically, reducing reliance on the Mid East for fuel. Fuels produced and distributed at 45 nationwide terminals and 13 bio refineries, encompassing 49 states, include biodiesel, renewable diesel, and a startup Jet biodiesel operation located in Louisiana. REG’s operations produce 25% of the total yearly USA supply of 2.4 Billion gallons. Biodiesel is environmentally friendly, as it reduces carbon by 85%.
In response to one of many questions from Golden K members, Mr. Anderson noted that government regulations can sometimes hinder progress in the renewable fuels industry. Anderson also stated that REG and its employees are heavily involved in many Ames area philanthropies.
The Bridge Home
Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment
Last Updated: November 13, 2020 by Joe T Leave a Comment
Sample Meeting Video
Are you curious about one of our meetings? Below is a full meeting recorded November 5, 2020, when Dr. Stephanie Clark of ISU gave an outstanding presentation about the 100+ year history of the ISU Dairy and ISU Creamery, and what’s happening there today.
Note: The first four minutes of the meeting is missing from the video unfortunately. During that brief span, we welcomed everyone, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, and prayed. If we had been face-to-face rather than on Zoom, we would have sung the Star Spangled banner also.
All About Bugs
Last Updated: October 4, 2022 by Joe T Leave a Comment
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