News
City Administrator Provides Locomotive Update
City of Sheridan Administrator Stu McRae provided an update to the Sheridan City Council and Mayor Rich Bridger on the proposed land trade that encompasses property along East 5th Street and involves moving the historic locomotive that sits at the corner of Broadway and 5th Street to a piece of property that is located just on the other side of the 5th Street railroad crossing and kitty-corner to where the locomotive is currently located. The update from McRae came during a Council study session Monday night.
McRae also addressed the issue that the locomotive, where it currently sits, is sinking.
McRae provided cost estimates for moving the train and constructing a park if the Council chooses to agree to the proposed land swap.
McRae also used the update to dispel a number of misconceptions about the possible relocation of the engine and stressed that no decision by the Council has been made at this time. The City will continue to pursue any grant opportunities that would help fund the park project. A video of McRae’s presentation can be viewed here.
edward capp
August 25, 2021 at 8:32 am
I have a better idea. Sell it to a scrapper! Then we won’t have to keep sinking taxpayer money into a fire pit.
The only link this engine has to Sheridan is the time it has sat here. THIS ENGINE OPERATED ONLY IN THE CHICAGO AREA. The only time it came to Sheridan is when it was brought here to sit and rot. I know this will never happen, but it should be considered.
So there are only two feasible options: (1) Leave the train where it is, use some of your grant(taxpayer money) to fix up the landscaping and paint/freshen up the locomotive.
(2) Move the train. Fine. But the business who is proposing this shall incur 100% of the costs of the move, set-up, and all fees associated with the land swap. Once this has been done with 0% taxpayer money, then paint/refurbish/landscape the new property. If the engine is going to sit here, it should look good. And spending money to do that is reasonable. BUT TO SPEND TAXPAYER MONEY MOVING THIS ENGINE FROM AN ALREADY CITY OWNED PROPERTY IS INSANE. SPENDING TAXPAYER MONEY WITH ZERO BENEFIT TO THE TAXPAYER, SHOULD NOT EVEN BE CONSIDERED.
Dean Seever
August 25, 2021 at 9:02 am
I see your confusion, you think government should be representative of the people. But the local politicians have made their stances clear, they will act to benefit the wealthy land owners and developers at the expense of every other citizen. For that reason I expect the local “leadership” to railroad this through so that it can benefit the owner of the market hall. Can you imagine how much his property value will go up?
Bruce Shell
August 25, 2021 at 10:32 am
I totally agree with Ed,
What an abject waste of “our” taxes. They can’t seem to fix the streets, or put a much needed traffic light at Big Horn Ave and East Brundage. Every try to use that intersection at 7-8AM or 4-5PM? Is it interesting that the train in now sinking? Give me a break.
Ezra petersen
August 26, 2021 at 12:20 am
A stop light is not needed at big horn and brundage. People need to be not so scared and learn to pull out between car. If you aren’t pulling a 35ft trailer stop driving like you are.
Eric Vredenburg
August 26, 2021 at 10:31 am
I agree with Ezra.I would just like to add put the phone down and pull out please.
Ricky Garcia
August 26, 2021 at 5:17 am
Beutifuil locomotive I’m glad they are not scraping it.
Michael DiGregorio
August 26, 2021 at 12:23 pm
Edward,. You have a very limited concept on the historic value of things like this. It doesn’t matter where the beautiful and rare steam locomotive had its hayday, it’s a piece of history that’s sorely lacking and there are some that might never get the chance to see a piece of nostalgia such as a “fire breathing” steam locomotive.
You really need to get a life and stop talking to people: the fact that this portion of public affairs is willing to preserve this is an honor not to the past and a generous gift to the younger ones that will have the opportunity to see something like this without having to travel untold distances to do so.
I find your point of view lacking and idiotic.
edward capp
August 26, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Michael, did you read more of my comment than the first couple sentences? If not, please do. You will see I posted two feasible options; neither have to do with scrapping the train. Now when you read it over, try to comprehend the words. Maybe ask someone else to read it as well, so you can have a discussion about my point. I believe many people with common sense share my same viewpoint, and I hope they chime in and confirm that.
Mark Steingass
August 25, 2021 at 8:36 am
This whole concept the city administrator presented reminds me of how the federal government ruined the charm of Mount Rushmore
Eric williamson
August 26, 2021 at 12:13 am
Too bad that Locomotive couldn’t be restored. Then the city won’t have to worry about the Locomotive anymore.
Tyree Sampson
August 26, 2021 at 1:50 pm
Sell it back to Union Pacific with the hopes the restore it and put it back in service like Bigboy 4014
Richard Corbin
August 26, 2021 at 2:01 pm
Global Fear Mongers continue to pump it up with Talk of a EMP.. electromagnectic pulse ATTACK which means that in about one millionth of a second after that attack there be no Electronic devices that will work. The Puluse burns out circuit boards on Everything. In an instant we are back to the days of Bonanza or Matt Dillon’s Gunsmoke.
Keep this train if it is a steam locomotive has a can be refurbished and at least Sheridan and the local cities like Gillette and Casper don’t have some form of transportation.
Richard Corbin
August 26, 2021 at 2:05 pm
If the train is a steam locomotive then keep it and use it after EMP attack by tiny rocket man of North Korea. If the Taliban can Order our president of the United States to get out by August 31st and our President says “yes master” then it’s only a matter of time before Rocketman “PULSES” us.
Earl Richmond
November 22, 2021 at 8:24 pm
I’m curious if anyone has visited the idea of donating it or selling it for the purpose of restoring it either cosmetically or for operation. Yes, anyone taking title to it should have a period of time to get it moved and pay for it while the City should relinquish all rights to it.