The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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  • The Railroad Museum of Oklahoma, 702 N. Washington. (Staff File Photo by BILLY HEFTON)

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October 21, 2012

Railroad museum needs helpers

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News and Eagle

ENID, Okla. — Railroad Museum of Oklahoma in Enid is looking for volunteers.

Museum president Fred Mochon said the museum is seeking volunteers to help paint historic cabooses and restore the to their original color. Mochon asked anyone with painting ability to contact the museum.

“We will supply the paint and they supply the paint brushes and labor,” Mochon said.

Because of recent increased activity, the museum also is seeking volunteers to act as tour guides.

“We will train them,” he said.

The tour guides will be interviewed to determine their interest, given a mini tour of the museum and a DVD about the museum they can watch at home.

“Our ranks are getting thin. Volunteers and membership is what I need,” Mochon said.

Mochon asked anyone interested in the museum to contact him to discuss membership or volunteering.

The museum, located at 702 N. Washington, is a 501(c)(3) corporation formed to preserve and display historic railroad artifacts. It represents the culmination of several years of work by the members and contains a collection of unique railroad items including a rail yard containing a collection of various rolling stock; dining car china and silverware; bells, lights, whistles and lanterns; a reference library of books; photos and videotapes; and operation HO and N-gauge model railroads. It is funded entirely by donations.

The museum was incorporated in October 1977 by a group of volunteers and established in the old Santa Fe freight warehouse north of downtown Enid. The museum officially opened its doors to the public April 27, 1989. During the 1980s, the volunteers renovated the building, which was in poor condition, and today, it is open six days a week.

For more information about the museum, go to railroadmu seumofoklahoma.org, or call (580) 233-3051.

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