[Jim Blum]

Opening today at the Mercantile Library, St Louis, MO and Running through September 2009 is a Special Exhibit in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the John W.Barriger III National Railroad Library.

The Exhibit features the part Railroads played in the opening of the West. There is good coverage of the River connection with Railroads in early freight transfer of cargo. There is a model of the Effie Afton taken from a description of the vessel in the court case and of course the builders imagination. There is also a rather large nifty model of the center span of the Eads Bridge on loan from the National Museum of Transport.

During the opening remarks there was mention made of the need for expansion from the President of UMSL......so just maybe the reconstruction of the Pilot House of the Golden Eagle could come about. (personal opinion only).

The exhibit is FREE and open to the public during regular University Library Hours.

There are also several new Steamboat models on display in the Pott Inland Rivers Collection.

St Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St Louis, One University Blvd. St Louis, Mo 63121-4499.