Welcome to Iowa's largest 1 1/2" scale railway

EJ&K Mission Statement: Maximizing Inefficiency Through Unnecessary Complexity

The EJ&K Ry is a 1/8 scale model railroad in Boone, IA designed for live steamers and model railroaders. It is not an amusement park open to the general public. We are usually open for visitors on Sundays, but we can also accommodate visitors on Saturdays and some weekdays with advance notice. Maintenance of facilities, grounds, and equipment is done by amateurs to rural residential standards. Visitors assume risk of injury. Rule G strictly enforced.

Videos of operations on are YouTube: Search - EJ&K Train Farm.

2026 Schedule

All outdoor activities are subject to Mother Nature's approval

January 1: January Steam Day.

February 1: February Steam Day

March 8: March Steam Day (23 years of continuous steam operation)

Dispatch Days will likely be May 3; June 7; and Sept. 13, 2026. Pop up dispatch days also available for groups of five or more.

Dispatch Days require several diesel operating crews and a dispatcher and yardmaster. If you are not familiar with the railroad, this is a good time to learn about classic 1950s railroading. Entry level brakeman positions available working with an experienced engineer. Contact Bob via email: bob@bournetransit.com or call 515-231-1370. Pop up dispatch days are also possible on Saturdays or Sundays if several people are interested.

We will have several theme days. Exact dates will be listed about three weeks before the actual day. Most of the events will be on Sundays.

Rowan Locomotive Works Day (May) -- All locomotives (4) constructed by RLW will operate

Cinqo de Mayo -- Heritage Day on May 5

724 Day -- EJK 724 will celebrate her 40th birthday with an afternoon and evening run on July 24

Chicago Great Western Day (June)-- All CGW locomotives and cars will be operating

Freight Day (June)-- Only freight trains, no passenger trains (steam and diesel)

Passenger Day (August) -- Only passenger trains. All passenger cars will be operated (steam and diesel)

Steam Only (September)-- Seven steam locomotives will operate at one time, crews needed, let me know your availability

Industrial Day (September) Freight only, all trains will have a switching assignment

Laps Day (October) -- Run as many laps as possible in an effort to reach 100 actual (full scale) miles

We have always appreciated the assistance that Bob Drenth provided over 30 years of railroad design, construction, and operation.

Eastern Subdivision has about 300 feet of final grade completed. Trestle was completed in June. Grading for an additional 400 feet is done. Ballasting and track is the next project in Oct/Nov 2025.

FDDMS 724 was built from several photos from the B&SV museum archives

EJ&E 724 was a billet car operated only within US Steel Gary Works. No FRA requirements and no identification other than the number.

CGW Day on Sept. 1 was a success with all four CGW locomotives and several CGW freight cars in operation

New industries are being established at the Ames Yard.

Artificial Intelligence Recycling Center is open. Ames Particle Co. will be on-line in late summer.

Three dimensional experiences are required at all industrial locations.

We completed 22 years of continuous steam on March 2, 2025. We have operated steam at least once a month for 22 years. Mother Nature always gives us at least one nice day in December, January, and February every year and we use it for steam.

Builder's Photo: Bob built the car and Bob painted it.

This is the water car to give NYC 5343 additional water tank capacity.

The Barbies continue to be our primary customer base. Several more have arrived and will be using the NYC passenger service.

Bob finished EJ&E 525. It is a Titan Trains kit with several 3D printed enhancements.

The Geeps were out late at night on May 5 with a full moon

We try to model realistic derailments as well as realistic operations

Frequent log trains all year. After taking down many invasive Siberian elms and creating a savannah, we have a lot of freight to move. If you want some good firewood come out and take it away.

Air hose project took 23 years and 15 minutes to complete

I was talking to Garrison Keillor and he mentioned that his father was an RPO mail clerk on the Great Northern working out of Minneapolis.

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