PRESS RELEASE
Plan your trip on the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad’s Steam Locomotive #3415.
In July, the restored former ATSF 4-6-2 “Pacific” #3415 steam locomotive will be operating. This engine sat in Eisenhower Park in Abilene, Kansas for more than 40 years, having been retired by the Santa Fe Railroad in the 1950’s. The City of Abilene donated the 3415 to the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad. It took more than four years to restore the locomotive to operating condition with about 12,000 volunteer hours and the help of two grants.
The train departs Abilene eastbound for a 10½ mile round trip through the Smoky Hill River Valley to the neighboring community of Enterprise, KS. In Enterprise, the train stops for riders to see the Hoffman Grist Mill, with a rebuilt working waterwheel that mills flour.
The railroad is operated by volunteers, which includes engineers, conductors, brakemen, car attendants that narrate every trip and depot workers. Volunteers also take care of the mechanical and track maintenance.
- Date: July 1,3 and 4 (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.); July 2 (2:00 p.m.); July 22 (10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.); and July 23 (2:00 p.m.)
- Contact Phone: (785) 263-1077
- Address: 200 SE Fifth Street
- Reservations required
- Admission: $30 (adults), $15 (children ages 3-11) and free (children 2 and younger)
- Note: Make sure to visit the newly opened Fred Schmidt Railroad Museum inside of former freight room in the depot!