End of the line

By Janet Jacobs

November 14, 2008 09:35 pm

— Interurban railcar No. 305 is back in Corsicana, returned from a 5-year odyssey in Alabama, where it was only partially restored.
The car was returned because the company contracted to do the restoration work wasn’t making progress, according to city officials.
On Friday, the car and its wheels were was carried into town on flatbed trailers. The wheels, or trucks, were placed on the short set of tracks next to the Visitors Center, then two cranes were brought in to lift it gently onto the wheels.
The entire process took about half a day, and attracted plenty of interested residents.
Ron Maxfield, who helped the city acquire the car back in 2002, was on hand throughout the process, as was Stephen Andrews, precinct 3 councilman, who’s followed the train’s progress closely.
“It’s about time this gets taken care of,” Andrews said as he watched the railcar easing into place. “It’s about four and a half years late. But the good news is that we’ve got our car back.”
The next step is to assess the work to be done, and develop a plan of action, Andrews said.
Helping with the project are volunteers Ron Maxfield and John J. Meyers, who helped on the restoration of a similar railcar in Plano.
“We’ve got about 40 volunteers from the college, and many businesses who want to help,” Andrews said.
Skilled workers will be needed, particularly metal fabricators, carpenters, upholsterers, and painters, Maxfield said.
While volunteers complete the railcar, city workers will be constructing the protective awning just north of where the railcar is currently sitting in its white plastic wrapping.
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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com

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