News
Train Park Relocation Derailed
Published
3 years agoon
By
Ron Richter
The historic locomotive that is located at Rotary Park at the corner of Broadway and 5th Street in Sheridan will not be moving anytime soon. The Sheridan City Council on a 5 to 2 vote Monday night, voted against a resolution that would have been the first step in moving the engine to property located just on the other side of the 5th Street railroad crossing and kitty-corner to where the locomotive is currently located.
Mayor Rich Bridger and Councilman Jacob Martin were the only two votes in favor of the resolution regarding the cost match for the train park. Councilman Steve Brantz, prior to the Council’s vote, talked about why he would be voting against the resolution.
The Council approved second reading of an ordinance establishing a gambling moratorium within the Downtown Development District and tabled third and final reading of an ordinance pertaining to water right disclosures and House Bill 0002. We’ll have more from the Council meeting in future stories.
Mark Steingass
July 19, 2022 at 7:32 am
…the reason this proposal failed is because so many citizens voiced concerns against the “rail park” proposal for various personal reasons especially objecting to the move of the historic locomotive…in the end the overwhelming majority of council members realized there was tremendous support for leaving the “landmark” Historic CB&Q 5631 in its aesthetic setting directly across from the Historic Sheridan Inn…
edward capp
July 19, 2022 at 8:47 am
You know what would save taxpayers money? Sell it for scrap. The ONLY connection this locomotive has to Sheridan is the time it has sat here. It ran in the Chicago area its whole life before it was retired. Too much time and money has been invested in this inanimate object; time and money that could have gone towards something that actually matters in this community. It’s a money pit, and will always be one. I have a question I hope one of these advocates can answer. What EXACTLY would we lose if all the sudden it disappeared?
Hint: DEBT.
Harriett Oleson
July 19, 2022 at 11:08 am
Mr. Cap I am real you are not in charge of preserving our history, there wouldn’t be any!!
Mark Steingass
July 19, 2022 at 9:47 am
Edward Capp…I can answer that…we would lose a landmark that has significant “family history” and “memories” for many not only here in Sheridan but for past Sheridan residents as well for six decades…equally important is that the city council saved taxpayers like you a price tag to a verified million dollars in cost (not including the cost of any potential EPA cleanup) over the course of that park proposal…in addition a park that because of insufficient funding would have been an eyesore for many years to come…
Ashley
July 19, 2022 at 10:36 am
I am also against moving the train it might fall apart and feel that it should stay where it’s at right know next to my work
Douglas Paddock
July 19, 2022 at 1:04 pm
The significance of this locomotive, is not where it ran. But the history of the CB&Q in Sheridan. My Grandfather was an expressman on the CB&Q that ran from Billings to Edgemont SD. I lived across from the depot, and would visit him often when the train would stop
Ben Barker
July 22, 2022 at 6:33 am
A metal roof would preserve that beauty for many decades to come. It has been there for many. I remember riding the CB&Q from Sheridan to Lincoln, NE in 1968 for college. It was pulled by a diesel electric then. That would be a nice addition to share the spot.