The water in a cup set on your table begins to ripple and for a brief second, Jurassic Park flashes through your mind. Then, with the shrill of its whistle and clang of its bell, you realize it’s only the train barreling through town.

That railroad running through Mexico, which Norfolk Southern now serves, is part of what was once known as the Wabash Railroad. 

Mexico’s railroad was one of the first three land grant railroads in the state of Missouri and its history has attracted the attention of the Wabash Railroad Historical Society (WRHS) who made their way to Mexico this weekend for their 49th annual meeting.

“Our annual meeting this year will focus on the heritage of the North Missouri railroad and some of the things that happened during the civil war in and around Mexico,” says Robert McNeill, cochair of the 49th annual WRHS convention. 

The WRHS began in 1975 founded by former Wabash Railroad worker, George Drake. 

About a decade after Wabash had merged into the Norfolk and Western railway, it became apparent that, as time went on, the memory of Wabash was dying.

“It was important, they felt, to preserve all things Wabash in some way, shape or form,” says McNeill.

With membership in 33 states and three countries, the WRHS appeals to relatives of those who worked for Wabash and train enthusiasts alike. The location of their annual meeting changes each year taking place somewhere in the U.S. with significant Wabash History.

This year, the WRHS set up at the Missouri Methodist Church in the fellowship hall, just a block away from the train tracks. There, WRHS held meetings, opened up their traveling store and hosted a banquet.

“Mexico exists because the North Missouri Railroad came through there,” says McNeill. “That was a predecessor to Wabash,” adds fellow co chair and Mexico Model Railroad club member John Johnson.

Registration began at 9 a.m. Friday which was mostly board meetings, presentations and memorabilia displays. Saturday, however, the historical society ventured out from Columbia to Moberly having four excursions to choose from. 

By 5 p.m. everyone was back in the fellowship room where Mayor Vicki Briggs’ delivered a proclamation. Mayor Briggs recognized the WRHS’s dedication to the preservation of such an important piece of history and presented them with the seal of the City of Mexico.

“I want to congratulate you on your organization and how well it seems to be doing,” says Mayor Briggs addressing WRHS president Randy Bible. “We are certainly glad to have you here in Mexico and I am here to welcome you to Mexico, Missouri.”

The WRHS works hard to preserve Wabash history, showing up to festivals, train shows, and working hard to reach a younger audience through a social media presence. Additionally, the society awards its hard working members at each annual meeting

“We give out an award every year to someone who has done a lot to help foster the memory of the Wabash,” says McNeill. 

The George Drake award was given to James VanHouten; his brother Larry VanHouten received the Founders award. Appreciation Certificates were awarded to Aubrey VanHouten along with Treasurer Dan Wright and Board of Director Vince Andrezjewski.

Also recognizing the tireless efforts of the WRHS was the Audrain County Historical Society who gave WRHS a map of the Wabash Railroad.