Yellowstone trip; day 3, part 4.

We decided to visit the Town of West Yellowstone's museum after dinner on Tuesday.  I was hesitant at first, but was rather delighted we did after we joined the historic walking tour of the town.  The railroad basically built the town and without it, there wouldn't be a West Yellowstone.

A complete Union Pacific Overland Route set of dinnerware.  It's probably priceless!

Closeup of the U.P. shield detail.

Children's dinnerware.  Also, probably priceless!

Children's menu.

Our tour guide Joyce.  Skyler was acting up and she calmly asked her to help out on the tour.  He was very happy to help!

He helped out with the visuals that Joyce had.

The original beanery.  It was jacked up and moved 90 degrees to the position you see here.  Gilbert Stanley Underwood designed all of the railroad buildings you see.

Massive timber frame construction inside the original beanery.

Fireplace was added after the building was turned...

And the Union Pacific dining hall was built!

Gorgeous!  The floor was originally stained red and green concrete.  The asbestos tiles were added in the 1970's.  :(

Rhyolite rock columns.

Rhyolite fireplace complete with warming bench.

We were told that if you wanted to be warm, you had to light a fire in here 24 hours in advance!  This building complex was never intended to be used in winter since the railroad only operated June through September.

Arrowhead design.

The hidden doorway to the kitchen.

The kitchen had newer appliances installed at some point.  It reminded me of the movie "The Shining"!

Note the bandsaw for cutting bone!

Large steel strapping connecting the timbers.

The South side that faced the rails.  More Rhyolite rock!

The West end showing the massive chimney.

What is this?  I spy a smoke stack!

Generator house?!  I sure wish we could see inside!

WE DID GO INSIDE!!!! :)

The original 1914 gasoline engine was replaced by this 3 cylinder  Chicago Pneumatic M.W.M. Benz diesel engine in the late 1920's.  Note the alternator closest to the engine for A.C. power, at the far end, there's a D.C. generator too, presumably for train power?  Can you spot the red line on the flywheel for marking top dead center for # 1 cylinder?  The close spaced holes on the flywheel(s) were for positioning the engine, the larger spaced holes were for inserting the bar to start the engine.  One wouldn't want to not get the bar out in time!

Generator panel complete with line disconnect transfer switches.

Information about said generator.

Continued.

Original wires outside just sliced off even with the conduit.

Underwood also styled the outside of the generator house after the diesel engine swap.

An original electrical pole cutoff.  Note the phone pedestal with the snow marker attached!

Closeup of the flywheel and the exhaust pipe that went down into a water bath to muffle the  exhaust noise. 

North side of the U.P. dining hall.

North side of the original beanery.

A coal loading chute at the depot.

Part 1 of our last day tomorrow!