Things are literally back on track for the Sertoma Club’s miniature train after recent repairs.
Soden’s Grove was hard-hit by several rounds of flooding from late April to early July, causing repeated washouts of the ballast or supporting material under the roughly 1,500-foot-long track. Club spokesman Wes Matson tells KVOE News every local flood impacted the track earlier this year, and the overall damage was the worst in recent memory for club members.
There was a lot of concern the train may not be ready for use until next year. Matson says it was important for the club to get the train rolling again this year.
There had been some public comment about moving the train to another local park, possibly Peter Pan Park. An initial estimate says it could cost the Sertoma Club some $350,000 to do that.
Matson says the club hired a three-person contract crew, and the work had to wait until the park dried up for the work to start. The club has not received a final bill, and fundraising continues to offset the costs as needed.
Another round of work is now becoming likely this winter. Matson says the wooden trestle bridge on the east side of the track will be replaced with a concrete-and-steel trestle. A cost estimate has not been announced.
The train’s normal schedule of 6-8 pm Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and 9-11 am Thursdays will now be in effect, although the season may well be extended past the normal Sept. 1 end date. Matson also anticipates a lot of parties canceled due to flooding will be rescheduled, and plans for a grand re-opening event are developing.
For more information or to schedule an event, call 412-3806 or find the Sertoma Club Miniature Train on Facebook.
