Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad rejects grant NEWSWIRE

ABILENE, Kan. – A $500,000 grant from the federal government to repair a bridge on the Abilene & Smoky Valley tourist railroad has been rejected and returned to the government. The grant through the Kansas Department of Transportation was requested by the Dickinson County Commission to repair the railroad’s bridge across the Smoky Hill River. A&SV is known for restoring and operating former Santa Fe 4-6-2 No. 3415.

The railroad is planning to repair the bridge on its own, which it says it can do faster and cheaper than the government. The railroad calculates that repairs can be made for about $115,000, but using the grant and going through the state department of transportation, the A&SV would have to come up with around $148,000, the required 20 percent match for the grant. It would have to come up with the funding by November, but the bridge would not be repaired until September 2015. The railroad plans to start repairs this November and have it ready next spring.

The Abilene & Smoky Valley has launched a $500,000 capital campaign to repair the bridge, and also its track from Abilene to Enterprise and is seeking tax-deductible donations to raise the funds. To donate, contact the railroad at P.O. Box 744, Abilene, KS 67410.