Spotlight

Refurbished Antique Railroad Scale on Display at Kirkwood Train Station

On the scale of such things, a rusting, 100-year-old, wooden contraption, covered in cobwebs and looking like it’s only good for running over toes, may have seemed destined for a landfill or a scrap metal recycler.  Kirkwood and the region at large are lucky that Bill Burckhalter, the Kirkwood Train Station manager, saw "the contraption’s" value and resisted that temptation.

When the City of Kirkwood purchased the Train Station back in 2003, it inherited a variety of old furniture and equipment, including one cast-iron-and-wood, 100-year-old railroad scale, which Bill found in a storage closet.  It was manufactured around the turn of the 20th century by Fairbanks-Morse, a company that still makes scales.  Even the manufacturer was unsure exactly how old the scale is, but they were able to furnish some important details that helped in its refurbishing.

Bill enlisted the help of fellow City staff in Fleet Services, and they went to work on its restoration.  First, they talked to representatives at Fairbanks-Morse, who donated new decals and provided the original paint colors.  The scale was then disassembled, bead blasted (similar to sand blasting), painted, its brass polished, and then re-assembled.  Ace Hardware in Des Peres donated the paint.

Most modern scales are metal, but the Kirkwood scale is largely made of wood (everything in blue in the photo is wood).  It was likely used by the Missouri Pacific Railroad to weigh freight.  The fleet staff constructed a wooden platform to secure the scale and prevent it from rolling so it could be kept on display at the Train Station, where Kirkwood residents can visit it any time the station is open.

Parks & Recreation


Senior Activities

Winston Churchill Museum & Auto World Museum, Ages 55+
The Churchill Museum, which is located on the site of his famous “Iron Curtain” speech, was built to honor the live and legacy of one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century. This museum includes interactive displays plus a 32 foot section of actual pieces of the Berlin Wall. This trip also includes the Auto World Museum with its impressive collection of 84 historic automobiles from every decade of the 20th century as well as classic fire trucks. Lunch and transportation included.     402132
Tue. 3/20 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. R $50 NR $55

St. James, MO Trip, Ages 55+
We’ll take a step back in time for this trip to the Vacuum Cleaner Museum; celebrating odd and old fashioned cleaners. Next we’ll enjoy lunch in one of St. James’s well known restaurants. Our last stop will take us to Meramec Springs Park where we will visit both onsite museums, one houses natural and cultural history exhibits while the other houses a grand display of antique farm machinery dating from as early as the 1800’s. We’ll make sure to make a stop at the Spring which flows 100 million gallons of water a day before heading home.     402131
Wed. 4/18 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. R $40 NR $45

Fairmont Park Horse Racing, Ages 55+
Nothing beats a day “at the races”! Get a track side view of the horse races from the Black Stallion Room where you can watch your horse (hopefully) come in first. Enjoy thoroughbred racing at the world famous Fairmont Park Racetrack including a delicious lunch buffet. You can’t beat the excitement of the “sport of kings” and you can bet on that!     402130
Tue. 5/1 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. R $40 NR $45

PLEASE NOTE:  All refunds will be assessed a minimum $5 program charge. Participants who cancel less than one week prior to the trip may only receive a partial or prorated refund based on the type of program and time of cancellation.


Card Club
Come play bridge starting at 10:30 a.m. or pinochle starting at 12:30 p.m. every Friday.  There is a fifty cent weekly charge.  Call CORP at 822-1883 for more information.

St. Pat’s Pool Tournament                                   Ages 55+
Celebrate St. Pat’s Day with our “Eight Ball” Tournament. A corned beef and cabbage lunch is included. Spaces are limited.
Thu.     3/15    10 a.m.        R $11  NR $15
402010

St. Pat’s Lunch & Bingo                                       Ages 55+
You don’t have to be Irish to enjoy a delicious lunch of corned beef and cabbage, followed by dessert and of course, try your luck at bingo for great prizes.
Thu.    3/15    11:30 a.m.        R $11  NR $15
402020

Senior Fitness                                                        Ages 55+
Gather your friends or make new ones when you join us for this 10 week, low impact aerobics class.
Mon., Wed. and Fri.     8-8:45 a.m.
M1: 3/5-5/11              M2: 5/14-7/13    M3: 7/16-9/21
R $35  NR $50  per session.   
402030

Senior Softball                                                  Ages 55+
Get your glove ready and join the senior softball group in Kirkwood Park.  In the event of bad weather call the Field Hot line at 314-822-5860 for field status. Pre-registration is not required for this program, join the group at Fields 3 and 4 in Kirkwood Park.
Mon., Wed. and Fri.    9 a.m.-12 p.m.        Play runs  4/11-10/30

Senior Volleyball                  Ages 55+
Grab some friends for this recreational program!
Mon. and Wed.    1/4-5/23     9-11:30 a.m.
R $10  NR $15 per session                                            102101

Kirkwood OASIS will be offering a number of programs for Seniors again this spring! For a complete list or to register, call 314-539-4556 or visit www.oasisnet.org/stlouis