Irvine Park Railroad Introduces New Electric Train
Unveiling of New Electric Train at Irvine Park Railroad
In an exciting event attended by dozens of young families, the founders of Irvine Park Railroad celebrated the unveiling of their new, fully electric train on September 7th. The anticipation was palpable as locals and their families eagerly awaited their turn to ride the train.
This state-of-the-art train, worth $800,000, replaces the old gas-powered model that had been in use for 27 years. To mark this momentous occasion, the organizers offered free rides to the first 100 people in line.
Orange County Supervisor Don Wagner also joined in the celebration, emphasizing the significance of the new locomotive.
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“The old railroad has been here for 27 years, and we hope to have this new one here for 27 more,” expressed Mr. Wagner to The Epoch Times.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, the railroad staff hammered in a golden spike at the entrance, symbolizing the beginning of a new era. Irvine Park Railroad co-founder John Ford spoke passionately about the power of teamwork in achieving remarkable things for the park and the community.
As the train embarked on its inaugural journey with excited passengers on board, young children and their parents joyfully sang “I’ve Been Working On The Railroad,” eagerly awaiting their turn to experience the ride.
According to Mr. Ford, the decision to replace the old diesel-powered train with the new electric train was driven by the wear and tear the older model had endured over the years, leaving it “tired” and “worn down.”
The new train, adorned with vibrant yellow and orange fall leaf garlands on its shiny green cars, is now open to the public for a fee of $7 per ride.
Mr. Ford and co-founder Steve Horn shared the story of their humble beginnings, revealing that they went into debt to bring their vision of the railroad to life. Mr. Horn even mentioned that his parents put a lien on their home to fund the project, uncertain of its success.
“We spent and borrowed everything we had. Credit cards, you name it,” Mr. Ford revealed to The Epoch Times.
Mr. Horn added that his father had built the original diesel train from scratch, a remarkable feat that has attracted thousands of visitors to the station in Irvine Regional Park each year.
The families continue to operate the train station and its surrounding amenities, including the snack bar, paddle boats, and bike rentals, through their private foundation. They won a bid with the city in the 1990s to develop the area.
Over the years, they have employed dozens of staff members at the station and surrounding pavilions, some of whom have been there for more than two decades, according to Mr. Horn.
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