Reading Rainbow Kate Shelley And The Midnight Express

Remember Reading Rainbow? That catchy theme song, LeVar Burton beaming at you, and amazing stories coming to life? Well, let's dive into one of those stories and uncover the surprising side of an unsung heroine – Kate Shelley, and her real-life adventure with the "Midnight Express."

More Than Just a Book

Okay, so you might remember the beautifully illustrated book. Maybe you even remember LeVar Burton's dramatic reading. But the real story is even wilder, with a dash of unexpected humor.

Forget damsels in distress waiting for a knight in shining armor. Kate Shelley was a force of nature. She lived near the Des Moines River, and her quick thinking saved a whole train full of people during a raging storm.

The Storm of the Century (Almost!)

Picture this: it's a dark and stormy night. Really, really stormy. The kind of storm that makes your dog hide under the bed. The year was 1881, and the rain was coming down in sheets!

Two locomotives had already crossed the Honey Creek bridge, heading east toward Moingona, Iowa. But due to the torrential rain, the creek bridge gave way, plunging the engines into the water.

Now, usually, that would be a major disaster. But a passenger train, "The Midnight Express" was due to come through soon and Kate Shelley knew it!

Kate to the Rescue: Hold the Train!

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Young Kate, only 15 at the time, overheard her mother talking about the first train wreck. She knew she had to do something, and fast. She knew that if "The Midnight Express" wasn't warned, the train would derail and all would be lost!

She grabbed a lantern, and headed out into the storm. Imagine trekking through blinding rain and mud, across a rickety railroad bridge, in the dead of night. Sounds like a recipe for a hilarious, yet terrifying, movie montage, right?

Here's where it gets even more amazing. To get to the Moingona depot where she could stop the train, she had to cross the Des Moines River bridge. The entire bridge was flooded and only the train track was visible.

Not Your Average Superhero

Finally, soaked to the bone and exhausted, Kate reached the station. Panting, she delivered her urgent message to the station agent. The train was stopped just in time. Disaster averted!

She saved hundreds of lives that night. She even led a search party to rescue the crew from the fallen engine. Kate Shelley wasn’t just a hero; she was a total boss.

A Lasting Legacy

Kate Shelley became a national sensation. People were amazed by her bravery and quick thinking. The Chicago and North Western Railroad even named a new bridge after her. It's the longest double-track railroad bridge in Iowa!

She truly became a folk heroine. People throughout the nation knew of the young woman from Iowa.

So, next time you're watching Reading Rainbow (or thinking about it nostalgically), remember Kate Shelley. Remember the girl who braved a storm, not for fame or fortune, but because it was the right thing to do. She is an example of extraordinary courage.

A Fun Fact to Impress Your Friends

Want to sound super smart at your next trivia night? Here’s a gem: the original Kate Shelley bridge, the one she crossed that fateful night, is still standing! Although no longer in use, it serves as a monument to her bravery.