Casper, Wyoming – The Fort Caspar Museum is inviting residents to a special afternoon of regional history on Saturday, Oct. 10. From 2 to 4 p.m., author and heritage‑rail enthusiast Con Trumbull will share his newly released book Images of Rail: Central Wyoming Railroads and discuss the pivotal role railroads played in shaping the area’s agriculture, industry and energy sectors.
Presentation highlights
Trumbull’s talk, titled “Steam Railroads of Central Wyoming,” will begin promptly at 2 p.m. at the museum’s main gallery, located at 4001 Fort Caspar Road. After the presentation, the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions about the photographs, the historic lines, and the people who built and operated them. The session will conclude with a book signing, where attendees can obtain a signed copy of the volume.
About the book
Published by Arcadia Publishing, the book compiles more than 150 previously unpublished photographs sourced from the Casper College Western History Center, the Wyoming State Archives, Fort Caspar Museum’s own collection, and private collectors. The images trace transportation from the Oregon Trail era through the arrival of the first rail lines in the late 1800s, illustrating how the rail network linked central Wyoming to national markets for grain, livestock, coal and oil.
“Central Wyoming has been closely tied to its railroading heritage since the first trains arrived nearly 150 years ago,” Trumbull said. “This new book presents this rich history through never‑before‑published photographs from private collections that tell the story of the railroads and, more importantly, the people that worked on them.”
Supporting a local preservation effort
In addition to sharing history, Trumbull announced that a portion of each book sold during the event will be earmarked for fundraising to return the historic Standard Oil No. 1 locomotive to Casper. The locomotive, a symbol of the region’s early oil‑transport legacy, currently resides out of state. The museum hopes the contributions will help cover transport and restoration costs.
Visitor information
Admission to the museum follows the regular schedule; tickets can be purchased at the door or online via the museum’s website. For further details, interested readers may visit fortcasparwyoming.com or call the museum at 307‑235‑8462.
Whether you are a rail enthusiast, a local history buff, or simply looking for a family‑friendly afternoon activity, the event offers a unique glimpse into the forces that built Wyoming’s modern economy and a chance to support the preservation of a beloved piece of the state’s industrial heritage.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
