Passengers lined up early Monday afternoon for free hot dogs, Cokes, and rides on The Little Train in Soden’s Grove.
Mark Summey, chairman of the train committee, said Sertoma Club members estimated that 1,100 to 1,200 people rode the train during the open house. Sertoma held the event to thank community members for their generous support in raising money to repair the train, which had been in disrepair and not expected to last through this summer.
The club had asked for donations to help make $20,000 worth of repairs and replacements to the engine and drive motors. The community responded with almost $55,000 in contributions, which allowed the club to budget for a new roof for the depot, a new deck expected to be installed this year, and other improvements. Leftover money will be placed in a fund dedicated to maintaining the train.
Summey said that on Monday, with children and families lined up and ready to ride, club members started the train after 12:30 p.m., instead of waiting until the 1 p.m. official starting time of the party.
“The train ran great ... It definitely held up,” Summey said. “We had no problems at all. We’re looking forward to starting the season now.”
About 14 club members grilled and handed out more than 950 hot dogs from Fanestil’s. Soft drinks were dispensed by volunteers from local businesses — Beth Wilson of Thurston’s Plus Autobody and More, Scott Grimmett of First Start Small Engines and Jesse Shaver of Cliff’s Super Service.
Waters True Value brought in a moon walk to entertain children while they waited their turns on the train, and representatives of the Peter Pan Park Playground Committee sold T-shirts.
“The last train ride was at 5 o’clock,” Summey said. “Nobody got turned down.”
The train will begin its regular season on Wednesday. Hours are from 6:30 p.m. to dark on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, weather permitting. Thursday mornings, the train runs for day-care services and others from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is 50 cents per ride, which is two laps around the one-third mile track. Private parties can be booked for $25 an hour.
More information may be had by calling 343-6717 or online at www.emporiasertoma.org.