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Home My WebLink About11-21-2005 ITEM V-DC[TY OF -'f0 -u AGENDA BILL APPROVAL FORM WASHINGTON Agenda Subject: Veterans Park Locomotive Removal Date: November 8, 2005 Department: Attachments: Budget Impact: Parks, Arts and Recreation November 7, 2005 Memo to Mayor Administrative Recommendation: City Council authorize staff to proceed with a relocation plan for the park locomotive. Background Summary: As improvements to Veterans Park have been made over the past few years, the disrepair of the locomotive in the park has become more apparent. A few years ago it became necessary to place the locomotive behind a chain link fence to prevent children from climbing on it and potentially getting hurt, and to prevent vandalism. Since its installation in 1958 in Veterans Memorial Park, there have been no funds to maintain or repair it. Despite support of the Burlington Northern Veterans Association, previous efforts to relocate the engine outside of Auburn were aborted, primarily due to the opinion of two town leaders, Roy Gustavus and Bob Gaines. Recently, we have had several inquiries by organizations who would like to acquire the locomotive for museums. This acquisition would also mean that the locomotive would be repaired, even possibly making it again operational. The cost of doing this locally is prohibitive, but if we were to allow one of the other organizations to take it, it would be repaired and become an educational tool and something to be enjoyed by many visitors. Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie, Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum in Toppenish, and Doyle McCormack of Portland, Oregon who successfully operates Southern Pacific for the City of Portland have expressed interest. Another group who previously showed interest in the locomotive was Minnesota Transportation Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. R-1121-4 05.1.2 Reviewed by Council & Committees: Reviewed by Departments & Divisions: ❑ Arts Commission COUNCIL COMMITTEES: ❑Building ❑ M&O ❑ Airport ❑ Finance ❑ Cemetery ❑ Mayor ❑ Hearing Examiner ❑ Municipal Serv. ❑ Finance ❑ Parks ❑ Human Services ® Planning & CD ❑ Fire ❑ Planning ❑ Park Board [--]PublicWorks ❑ Legal ❑ Police ❑ Planning Comm. ❑ Other ❑ Public Works ❑ Human Resources ❑ Information Services Action: Committee Approval: ❑Yes E --]No Council Approval: ❑Yes []No Call for Public Hearing Referred to Until Tabled Until Councilmember: NormanStaff: Faber Meeting Date: November 21, 2005 1 Item Number: V.D AUBU `N * MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED Agenda Subject: Veterans Park Locomotive Removal Date: Park Board, on several occasions has discussed the locomotive and listened to presentations by a number of groups, each time agreeing that it is time to relocate the engine. After staff spoke with Dave Sprau, President of the Burlington Northern Veterans Association, Roger Campbell, and historian John Phillips, we believe the best option is to transfer ownership to the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. They are prepared to undertake its restoration, making to operational, and it would be enjoyed by thousands of visitors annually. Staff is seeking direction from Council to authorize us to proceed with a relocation plan. Page 2 of 2 CITY OF RV Memo WASHINGTON To: Mayor Lewis From: Daryl Faber Patricia Cosgrove Date: November 7, 2005 Re: Locomotive in Veterans Park BACKGROUND The Locomotive located in Veterans Park is again becoming an issue, as ancillary improvements to the park are being considered. As you are aware, the Locomotive is in a state of disrepair; it is basically rusting away behind a chain link fence. Staff initiated initial research regarding the locomotive and options for its disposition, if the City so desires. The locomotive, No. 2152, is a Northern Pacific Class Q-3 Pacific. It is described as having a 4-6-2 wheel arrangement - "Whyte system" — indicating it has four pilot wheels, six drive wheels, two trailing wheels. It was built by Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1909. Its tender carries twelve tons of coal and 7,000 gallons of water. The engine weighs 236,000 pounds in working order. It was used to pull freight and passenger trains on the Northern Pacific, including runs in the Auburn area. John Fournier, previous publisher of the Auburn Globe - News, was instrumental in getting it donating to the city, and it has been oxidizing in City Park ever since. The full story of its move to the park appears on the front page of the Auburn Globe -News, March 27, 1958. CURRENT SITUATION Engine No. 2152 has been on display in Auburn Veterans Park since 1958. It has significantly decayed during the intervening years and is currently surrounded by a chain-link fence to protect it from vandalism. Despite the support of the Burlington Northern Veterans Association, previous efforts to relocate the engine outside of Auburn have been aborted, primarily due to the opinion of two town leaders, Roy Gustavus and Bob Gaines. Page 1 of 3 AUBURN Y MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED OPTIONS Page 2 of 3 1. Northwest Railway Museum, Snoqualmie 425-888-3030 X 201 NWRM Director Richard Anderson is a very strong leader and the institution has been making good strides with restoration, fund raising and becoming more professional. They currently run a tourist railroad, using a logging locomotive, which is not particularly appropriate for pulling their passenger cars. The No. 2152 is just the type of engine (date, make, Northern Pacific, etc) that would have run along their route. He is enthusiastic about exploring the possibility of acquiring this locomotive. They would guarantee restoring the exterior for display, and anticipate restoring it to working order. Their process for acquisition would include an investigatory visit by members of his board and staff, a contract, and would perhaps take 12 months to plan and carryout—the locomotive must be moved during the dry months. They would be willing to cover the approximate -cost of $25,000 it will take to move it; they have successfully moved two such behemoths from Yakima previously. They may be open to paying a $10,000 fee to commemorate No. 2152 in an exhibit or project, and/or trade appropriate Northern Pacific artifacts to the White River Valley Museum. The NWRM will break ground on a new restoration and display building this August. Richard said that, should this locomotive come to them, it would jump to the top of their restoration list. He would work the PR angle of moving it and being the first project they undertake in their new building. Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum, Dr. Doug Shearer, PO Box 889, Toppenish 98948 Transfer the engine to the Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum. They are felt to be a capable, competent group that wanted the locomotive a few years back, and were willing to pay for and move it. That arrangement never happened, and since then their funding has become rather fragile and they have cut back during the recession. They may no longer be an option... 3. Options Further A Field: Doyle McCormack of Portland, Oregon operates Southern Pacific 4449 (large steam engine) for the City of Portland, very successfully. Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul. The are currently restoring two steam locomotives similar to that in Auburn, and at one time wanted the 2152. AUBURN* MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth. They have a very small NP steamer, railroad tracks of their own, and large well -funded, well-established museum. After speaking with Dave Sprau, President of the Burlington Northern Veterans Association, Roger Campbell, and historian John Phillips, we believe the best option is to transfer ownership to the Northwest Railway Museum (NWRM) in Snoqualmie. The reasons we favor of this are (1) they are prepared to undertake its restoration; and (2) it will be enjoyed by thousands of visitors each year who visit the railway museum and ride the train. Everyone agrees: leaving it to decay is the worst option �:_I alar Iurr �»IurfUa Burlington Northern Veterans Association, President Dave Sprau Their official position is: At present we are appalled by its decrepit condition and wish to see it restored and put to some constructive use. Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association President is likely to have the same opinion as that stated above. Roy Gustavus and Bob Gaines, the two union leaders/politicians who were the strong voices wanting the 2152 to remain in Auburn. They do not represent the opinion of the Burlington Northern Veteran's Association. Bob Gaines has since passed away. Rodger Campbell feels that Mr. Gustavus would not have such a strong objection at this time. RECOMMENDATION: Advise on how to proceed. This issue was a discussion item at Park Board and they showed initial support for option #1, with the $10,000 fee being used to create an interpretive sign related to the locomotive and its history in Auburn. Page 3 of 3 AUBURN *MORE THAN YOU IMAGINED • N Tommi P 0 Fl •