Weather has played a role in the delay of moving the last three train cars to the Great Overland Station in North Topeka from Globe, a town 35 miles from the capital city between Baldwin City and Overbrook.
Wednesday’s rain, however, didn’t have any effect on moving the Santa Fe superintendent’s car, baggage car and refrigerator car. They were the gift of a late train car buff -- Marvin Robertson.
“Once they got out of the driveway it was smooth sailing,” said Bette Allen, executive director of the Great Overland Station. “The rain just washed the cars clean for us.”
The day started at 5 a.m. with Stadler Towing and Recovery and Brown’s Super Service Inc. getting the train cars ready to move. At 9:30 a.m. the cars pulled out and started the journey to Topeka.
“The train cars cruised right along at 25 to 30 miles an hour,” said Keith Brown, of Brown’s Super Service Inc. “The hardest part was making the turns, and I think the rain helped that.”
The train cars pulled into the Great Overland Station at 1 p.m., a half hour ahead of schedule.
Once there, Stadler Towing and Recovery and Brown’s Super Service maneuvered the cars into the railroad park where the task of restoring the cars will begin.
“I’m an old friend of Marvin Robertson, the man who donated the railroad cars. To see them kept as one unit means the most to me,” said Dave Calwell, who was at the Great Overland Station to see the train cars arrive. “I’ve been happy at all the points of progress.”
Calwell and other member of the National Railroad Historical Society will restore the train cars. While that work is being done, the last phase of the project will take place. Walkways, lights, bathrooms and fencing will be built to complete the railroad park.
“Over the next two months the train cars will be placed onto the tracks and secured,” Allen said. “I want them in place and ready for public viewing by Aug. 20 for the 4th Annual Railroad Festival.”
The Great Overland Station has about $350,000 for the railroad park and needs another $400,000 to complete it, Allen said.
“I’m excited that the cars are on the property,” she said.
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