Rotary takes lead in restoration of locomotive

Sheridan’s Rotary Club is taking a lead role in restoring the old locomotive in Rotary Park at the intersection of Fifth Street and Broadway.

Rotarian Pete Olson explained what will be done. He said last summer, the city of Sheridan paid for asbestos mitigation. He said that had to happen before anything else could be done.

Olson said the locomotive and the property it sits on belong to the city of Sheridan.

Olson said the man was also good friends of the man who was president of what was then the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad.

Olson said there is a possibility that the locomotive may be moved across the track and to the north. He said that location would be in what some people are considering as a railroad historic district.

He said the possibility of that is still uncertain, but even if a move doesn’t happen, the Rotary Club plans to proceed with fundraising for the other work. He said plans include requests to local companies to help with donations of time, labor and/or materials.

Olson said the locomotive sits right at the entrance to Sheridan, and though the Rotary Club doesn’t own either the locomotive or the land, the club feels an obligation to make the area look nice.