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Minutes for HB2501 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Designating the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe #3415 as the official state steam locomotive and the Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad as the official state heritage railroad.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 5, 2024
Chairperson Petersen called the meeting to order at 8:33 a.m. and opened the hearing on HB2501.
Adam Siebers, Assistant Revisor, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, briefed the Committee on the bill (Attachment 1). He explained that the bill designates the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe #3415 as the Official Steam Locomotive and the Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad as the Official Heritage Railroad.
Representative Scott Hill, District 70, testified in support of the bill (Attachment 2). He commented that the Santa Fe Railroad occupied a special place in the history and heart of Abilene. He noted the decision to restore the locomotive twenty years ago and traced the impact of the railroad on the early cattle shipments from Abilene; he said the locomotive provides a special connection to the past.
Ava Straight, Student, St. Andrews School, Abilene, commented that the train station is near the school and is a link to the past; it provides historic value to the town (Attachment 3).
Jack Benton, Student, St. Andrews School, Abilene, said he enjoyed riding on the train and commented that the train is important to the city as part of Abilene's history (Attachment 4).
Ross K. Boelling, President and General Manager, Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, speaking as a proponent, noted the public's fascination with trains and railroads and the importance of the railroad for shipping agricultural products. He traced the history of engine #3415 and showed a video of the engine steaming across the countryside ("history in motion"). Commenting on the cost of restoring and maintaining the engine and rail cars, he said a capital campaign raised $380,000, but an additional $1.5-2 million is needed to address current and future costs. He said the American Heritage Railways has offered assistance, and he expressed hope that a grant application would be approved to meet additional financial needs (Attachment 5).
Mr. Boelling responded to members' questions:
- The Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad extends for 5.5 miles.
- The steam engine is listed on the National Historic Register.
- Ride tickets are $24/18 for adult/child. A dinner ride is $80 per person.
Members commented on the historic significance of the railroad. A member recognized two guests in the audience: Dr. Steve Smethers, Secretary of the Association of Abilene and Smoky Valley Railroad, and Dr. Steve Schwarting, M.D.
The following written-only testimony was submitted in support of the bill:
- Senator J. R. Claeys, District 24 (Attachment 6)
- Julie Roller Weeks, Director, Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau (Attachment 7);
- Allen C. Harper, Chairman/CEO, American Heritage Railways, Durango, Colorado (Attachment 8); and
- Bob St. John, President, Topeka Chapter, National Railway Historical Society (Attachment 9).
The Chair closed the hearing on HB2501.
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:05 a.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, 2024.
