The Little Train left Collision Body CarStar with a new coat of paint Thursday afternoon, and returned to DBB Manufacturing for a little work on parts and installations before it heads back home to Soden’s Grove.
“Hopefully, we should have it on the tracks sometime next week for a test run,” said Les Nuessen, member of Sertoma Club, which operates the amusement ride in Soden’s Grove. “It’s going to be very much up-to-date.”
The club in late January asked the community for contributions to raise $20,000 for a replacement diesel engine and electric drivers for its wheels.
As of this week, the club has received $52,448 and money still is dribbling in. The extra funds will be used to replace the deck on the platform, which will be done after a professional design plan is completed. Members want to make sure the area complies with federal law and will be safe for passengers and their families. A new roof already has been installed. Remaining money will be put in a special account earmarked to be used only for The Little Train and its needs.
Nuessen said that club members recently worked on the train track and are preparing for the train’s first test run.
“We’ll know a little bit more after we get the train on (the track) and run it,” Nuessen said. “We’ll do some testing and tweaking to make sure it runs good.”
The train is expected to be ready for private parties the last half of the month and will open to the public on Memorial Day weekend.
Becca (anonymous) says...
Is this the little train that was running in the late 50's? I remember my grandfather taking me to Pater Pan Park and then for a ride on a little train that ran all through a wooded area.
I seem to recall a Billy Soden that worked in the same buliding with my grandfather. And I think he had a sister named Peg. Guess it must be the same family...
I'm going to have to come back for a visit this summer.
April 7, 2007 at 7:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TPK (anonymous) says...
Yes this is the same train that has been running for the past 50 years.
BTW Bobbie the machine shop is DPP not DBB.
April 11, 2007 at 11:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )