A Tragic Fire

A $2.5 million fire on May 26, 1985 destroyed most of the large railroad equipment. Nine cars, the Henschel, and a diesel locomotive, along with many tools and small parts were lost. Also badly damaged were the Shay, Porter, and India locomotives.  Members purchased two Plymouth gasoline locomotives, and along with a railroad coach that was purchased with a grant from the La Porte County Tourism and Convention Bureau, railroad operation (but not steam) resumed in time for the 1985 show. In early 1986, permission was received from the insurance company to begin salvage operations.

The India locomotive was bulldozed out of the engine house rubble on March 13, 1986 and taken to the main shop for restoration. Just 89 days later it was back on the rails and under steam. The next day, construction started on two 24" gauge passenger cars.   Dr. George Mohun of Novato, California contacted us, offering 4 locomotives and 8 flat cars, the remains of the Mecklenburg Pommersche Schmall Spurbahn Railroad in East Germany that was intended for a steam tourist railway near San Francisco. This railroad was never constructed and the equipment was stored on his ranch for 17 years.  After an inspection trip, funds were borrowed and the equipment was purchased.

The equipment arrived on April 14, 1987. The brand new, yet 47 years old,  CSK was immediately placed in the shop for cleaning and inspection. It was fired up for the very first time in August 1987 and now serves as our regular locomotive for weekend operation.   The India locomotive was retired in 1988, after a crack developed in the copper firebox, not quite making it to 100 years of operation. In 1990, the Orenstein & Koppel 0-8-0 was moved to the shop for a heavy restoration.  In 1997, it was temporarily de-superheated and, in 1998, was reflued by the Hesston shop crew. Also in 1998, work started on construction of an enclosed passenger coach for the 24" line.

A New Direction

2006 was to be the museum’s 50th anniversary. So when the Board of Directors asked Ted Rita to become  assistant GM (latter he would become Executive Director), helping John Edris with most aspects of management in 2000, Ted accepted with a condition - it was time to restore and operate the Shay Locomotive. Ted assembled a crew of dedicated volunteers that shared his love of the Society and the locomotive and, after 21 years of inactivity, the #7 steamed again in time for the 50th annual Labor Day Weekend Steam & Power Show. Ted says, “ this restoration changed the whole place, the morale, the mind set of our volunteers, and the support of the public. It was the most important thing we could do to get us pointed in the direction everyone wanted to move to.”  

Ted was right. The museum saw completion of a new, beautiful, timber-framed, open depot / ticket booth for the 2007 season and the first “School Days” STEM  field trip. Since then, the volunteers and museum host one local school each year for a free field trip.

During this time period, the advertising committee was put together and rebranded the museum as a quality, family-friendly, educational attraction.

Doc’s Soda Fountain, complete with a 1930s soda bar and new modern restrooms, opened in time for the 2013 season opening. That improvement saw an overwhelming change in guest reactions.

The improvements, branding, and community outreach have increased attendance and attracted more volunteers to staff the ever-growing events the museum puts on every year.

A master plan of the entire campus is underway and a fully illustrated computer model will be available soon.

The LaPorte County Historical Steam Society