Railroad event planned

Herington Historical Museum will offer a railroad-themed event this weekend at Herington Community Building, 810 S. Broadway.

Herington Kansas Railroad Days will feature displays of working train layouts, one with iPad controls for children to “drive” the train.

Merchandise will be sold to support restoration of the town’s historic miniature train at the fairgrounds.

The G-16 scale train, manufactured in 1954 and patterned after an EMD F-7 locomotive.

It operated seasonally in Herington from 1956 to 2020, when it was shut down because of COVID-19.

Volunteers have been working since 2022 to take care of needed maintenance.

The train derailed and rolled over in 1989 when an engineer pushed the throttle instead of the brake as the train rounded a curve.

Restoration included new brake linings and linkages to replace the ones bent in the derailment, fabrication of a new vacuum pump diaphragm, new drive shafts, and routine maintenance on the locomotive.

Volunteers now are finishing work on the brake system and replacing windows in its passenger coach.

Rotted railroad ties need to be replaced and re-ballasted, and a crossing for lawn equipment needs to be installed.

After that, the city will have to pass a state safety inspection before the train can operate again.

Herington Historical Museum and its Rock Island baggage car will be open both days of the show.

Vendors will offer assorted memorabilia.

One exhibitor can make track and layout accessories using a 3D printer.

Clinics will be offered on building model train scenery, using LED lighting in railroad layout, and how to get started with a miniature railroad layout.

Nearby parking is free. Admission will be by donation. All proceeds will benefit Herington Historical Museum.

Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.