Posted on 03/10/2010 3:28:05 PM PST by Willie Green
People and funding are needed to keep the great northern steam locomotive CN6218 on track.
The train, built in 1942 and moved to Fort Erie in 1973, needs $429,000 worth of repairs.
It's located at the Fort Erie Railroad Museum on Central Avenue.
At a recent town budget meeting, the Fort Erie Historical Museum asked council for $100,000 to go towards restoring the deteriorating engine. Council agreed to allocate $50,000 this year and expects the next council to provide the other $50,000.
"I think having a $50,000 commitment from council is a really positive sign of support," said museum administrator Jane Davies.
Although Davies said this is a good start for the stationary train, she feels there is still a long haul ahead. She said the funding is a welcomed addition to capital funding already in place for this year and expected to be provided next year. She hopes that enough can be raised to finish renovating the train and the track it sits on all in one effort and not one bit at a time.
"Once you pull it all apart, you need to have the money to put it back together," said Davies.
When CN retired the locomotive in 1969, six municipalities competed to display it as a centrepiece of history in their communities. Fort Erie came out the winner.
"Council lobbied pretty hard back then to bring it to Fort Erie," said Davies.
Mary McLelland-Papp, chairwoman of the recently formed Fort Erie Historical Railway Association, said a fundraising goal of $73,000 has been set. Participation from the community is desperately needed, she said. A campaign has begun to seek memberships from corporations, individuals and other volunteers who are interested in doing their part to make the train's restoration a reality.
"Hopefully, we can utilize everyone in some way at some point," said McLelland-Papp, who is also vice-chairwoman of the museum and cultural heritage committee.
She said at one point, 55% of the Fort Erie population was employed by CN, which is proof the engine is an important part of the town's historical identity.
"It's a symbol of a large part of Fort Erie's history."
Anyone interested in volunteering for this project can call McLelland-Papp at 905-894-8451.
How big of a check did you personally write?
Half a mill for a static display? Seems like they could restore it to running condition for that amount.
Sounds like they need to sell it or charge admission or somesuch.
That’s a nice 4-8-4. Regrettably, CN never took their steam program as seriously as CP. CP’s “Empress” still plies the rails and gets positive attention for the railroad.
Ping.
Or use non-union contractors and the bill would drop by 75%.
How big of a check did you personally write?
$62.18
Thanks for the PING!
Check out this website (subscription) for lots of stories on steam engines and excursions:
http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/list.php?10
this is such a great picture, could you tell me the names of the two men that are in it? it would be greatly appreciated thanks
I’m glad you’re dead.
5.56mm
What brought that up two years after the fact?
Maniacal, total, consuming evil?
4Pumpkin hasn’t created an about page.
That’s not good.
Chasing trains: the 6218, October 1969
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