Our road trip to Rosenberg started with breakfast tacos with our son and his wife, Pete and Christi, at their house. After great time of visiting, they joined us and we drove to a small farmer's market and purchased some honey and vegetables. Ironically, on our way to visit the Rosenberg Railroad Museum, we had to wait on a very slow train for about 45 minutes. After making our way down town we arrived to tour the Rosenberg Railroad Museum.
While the depot is a replica of the original one, the yard area was very nice and had several railroad artifacts on display. The museum sits next to the modern, active tracks that run through the city.
After a brief introductory video about the history of railroads in Rosenberg, we toured the museum galleries. The Roy Ekstrum Lantern Collection is on display. This is an extensive collection of both oil burning and early battery lanterns used on the railroads
Pete practicing the lantern signals.
A short way into the exhibits, Larry, the museum's docent, joined us to give a more detailed tour of the displays. He was very knowledgeable and interesting and his engineer attire only added to the visit. "There are objects used by employees in the depots, in the railyards, and along the tracks, as well as job titles and descriptions of many long-gone occupations. There are also buttons, badges, tools, lamps, lanterns, china and flatware, locks and keys, brochures and timetables"
The exhibits are educational and informative.
I spent a large part of my time at the Hobo exhibit. There is lots of information and artifacts about the American Hobo. This was very interesting since I remember the hobos that came to my grandparents house when I was growing up. My grandparents lived close to the railroad tracks in a rural setting, actually their land boundry was at the tracks. The hobos would come to the house and grandpa would give them work to do (or grandma since she had a list on hand if grandpa wasn't home) in exchange for a meal and tea or lemonade. While they worked grandma would cook a meal, usually chicken, bread and lemonade. The hobo would eat his meal outside under a tree when his work was finished. Grandma would always wrap the rest of the meal and send it with him. While we kids were not allowed to go outside while a hobo was there, I remember them as very courtious, well mannered and, while their clothy was frumpy and tattered, they were always clean.
It seems that today's hobos are modern thrill seekers who jump train cars for a month or two and then return to their comfy homes and lives. We found out there are even Hobo festivals and reunions.
Christi ringing the engine bell on display in the yard area.
The museum grounds offer railroad memorabilia that can only be displayed outside, the water tower, a hand cart, Tower 17, and the Quebec Railcar.
Inside the second story of Tower 17 the docent walked Pete and Chuck through how the interlocking machine worked. "The electro-mechanical interlocker controlled the railroad signals and switches, and only one route could be set up at any one time, and helped to prevent accidents by allowing only one train through the crossing at a time." (from the RRM web site ) It is set up with green lights on a panel to show how the tracks and trains are changed to move in the desired direction
Directly across the street from the museum is the Another Time Soda Fountain and to my pleasure they really DID know how to make old fashioned ice cream sodas. I'm not sure how old the building is, but when you step inside you're stepping back into the 1950s. The decor is vintage and reminiscent of poodle skirts and saddle oxfords. They have a menu that includes soups, sandwiches, hamburgers, fountain sodas (yes even cherry cokes) and ice cream.
It was a treat to just sit and take in all of the decor and age of the building.
The serving counter is all original as are stools that line the counter and are attached to the floor. Some of the equipment used to make the delicous treats even looked to be original.
Display of original soda fountain memorabilia
Chocolate ice cream soda
Christi & Pete enjoying an afternoon treat.
That evening we enjoyed supper at Los Cucos Mexican Cafe. Chrisit had told me about the stuffed avocodos they served and it was time to try one. The avocodos are stuffed with fajita meat (beef or chicken) and two kinds of cheese, then lightly breaded and fried with a third cheese generously served over the top. Rice, beans and a soft chicken taco completed the dish. It was just as wonderful as Christi had said. The meal was great, served in a timely manner and hot when it arrived at our table.
It was a great and wonderful day!
Aug. 23
We met Christi and Pete at their house then went shopping at an inexpensive and favorite Mexican clothing store. We all managed to leave with purchases, some even on sale to our surprise.
As we prepared the camper to return home Chuck and I were almost giddy from the great time we shared with the kids and the interesting places we got to see. We will be returning to Rosenberg to kidnap the kids for another adventure.
