Fund drive goes 'way over the top
The Little Train could — and did
By Bobbi Mlynar
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
The Little Train at Soden's Grove will have its engine transplant, a new roof for its depot, a new platform and more because of a fundraising drive that more than doubled its original $20,000 goal.
"As of yesterday, we had $43,981 deposited," Les Nuessen said Tuesday afternoon. Nuessen is a member of the Sertoma Club, which operates the train. "This Thursday we're going to get the Sutherland's check, which is $5,000."
A fundraiser still is under way at Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing Central, where the company will match dollar-for-dollar donations from its employees. Planet Sub recently wrapped up a day-long event that will give 15 percent of the proceeds to The Little Train fund.
"I think we've reached our goal," Nuessen said with a laugh. "And there's more coming, so we're happy about that. That will give us a next egg to help us take care of the train in the future."
The fundraising drive surfaced in late January, when Sertoma members decided they would need to replace the diesel engine and electric drive motors on the miniature train in Soden's Grove. Otherwise, they said, the 48-year-old miniature train would not run through the summer.
Schoolchildren, grandparents, community members and businesses jumped on-board the drive with enthusiasm. The drive reached its goal in February, and the club decided to use any excess funds to replace the roof at the train's depot, and also replace the platform, which was beginning to deteriorate.
Now, Nuessen said, all of the work can be done and leftover money will be saved for repairs and maintenance that may be needed in the future.
Nuessen said that any excess funds will be dedicated only for use on The Little Train. The money, which has been put in the Emporia Community Foundation's care, will remain with ECF until it is needed.
Work is nearing completion on the train itself. Dan Klingensmith and his crew at DPP have been making the repairs and adjustments, and Nuessen said that the electric driver motors recently arrived. The target date for completion is April 1.
"He actually cut the train right in two and he added 17 inches in the front part of it, and then moved the engineer's compartment back toward the rear of the engine a little bit," Nuessen said. "... That was done in order to be able to put the generator unit and the fuel tank and the air compressor and everything up in the front of the engine. Before, we had the gas back behind the engineer."
Charlie LeClair of Emporia Roofing donated his labor to replace the depot roof, and that work has been completed, Nuessen said.
Sertoma members are discussing design plans for the railroad platform and options that may be available. A decision on the design is expected soon.
Nuessen said that the club is planning a celebration to inaugurate the re-vamped train.
"The details haven't been finalized," Nuessen said, estimating that a grand opening will be held around the Memorial Day Weekend.
Prior to the grand opening, a celebration will be held for the children who held the penny wars fundraisers at four elementary schools — Logan Avenue, Village, Riverside and Timmerman schools. Nuessen said club members wanted those children to a private time for riding the train.
"We'll have a special time for them," he said. "On those days, of course, it will be free for the kids."
slimbolen99 (anonymous) says...
With all the negative things happening in Emporia (layoffs, immigrant issues, increases in property taxes), it sure is nice to hear such great news for a great cause. I've been to the train as a child, and it was fun, magical. Recently, a friend had a birthday party for their 3 year old son at the Soden's Grove park. The volunteer worked on the train for two hours, trying to get it to go. It went once around the track, and he had to shut it down because of over heating, much to the dismay of the kids. Kudos to Emporia and all the folks that are helping keep this great mini-attraction running. The way the community became involved, together as one, is truly astonishing.
In a time where money is always short, and the little things make life fun are being put on the back burner, it's nice to see everyone chip in their pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollars to turn something around that will have a very positive impact on our youth.
Thanks to everyone...this one will go down in the record books of what a makes a community so great.
March 20, 2007 at 11:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )