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November 3, 2009

BNSF foundation gives $5,000 to help Enid Kiwanis train project

By Joe Malan, Staff Writer

A large train company is helping keep a small train in Enid running.

Enid Kiwanis Club recently received a donation of $5,000 from Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Foundation. The money will go toward a three-year, $350,000 project to upgrade and restore the Kiwanitrain and carousel at Meadowlake Park.

“They just wrote a simple letter that said, we like your project, and (explained) what foundations like Burlington Northern Santa Fe do, is they fund projects such as this in the community they operate in,” said Jerry Erwin, Enid Kiwanis Club board member.

Erwin said the organization has brought in $110,000 toward the $350,000 goal since 2008.

“We feel very positive about everything we’re doing,” he said.

The Kiwanis Club soon will receive even more donations, thanks to Enid A.M. Too AMBUCS. The group will have its annual pie fundraiser Friday and Saturday, and all donations from the event will be given to Kiwanis to help the club with the restorations.

One of the major restorations that will be done is on the track itself. Kiwanis wants to restore the track bed, as well as install 6,900 ties Erwin said are worn out.

Kiwanis also wants to replace two large display wheels on the engine, which will improve the train’s overall appearance.

“They’re about $1,700 apiece,” said A.J. Wells, Enid Kiwanis Club president.

Another thing Kiwanis would do is install an Americans with Disabilities Act kit on one car, so people with disabilities could ride.

The train operates Memorial Day through Labor Day. In 2009, Erwin said, there were more than 25,000 ticketed riders on both the train and carousel. Of that 25,000, 15,000 were train riders.

Erwin said a contractor will be coming in 2010 to do some work on the track bed and ties. More work will be done in 2011 and 2012.

While funds will improve the train and its track, some of them also will improve the carousel. Kiwanis is in the process of redoing all the horses on the carousel, and Erwin said they’re halfway done.

The Kiwanitrain has operated since 1958 and has been owned by Kiwanis since then. The carousel is owned by the city, but Kiwanis has an agreement with the city to operate and maintain it.

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