HAMLET — The locomotive and caboose sitting in Main Street Park are now city property.
The Hamlet City Council on Tuesday passed a resolution transferring ownership of the historical static display from the National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame to the city.
According to Director of Community Engagement Mechelle Preslar, the museum’s board voted on the transfer in June.
“This has come a long ways,” said Councilman Tony Clewis.
“I’m really proud of this,” said Preslar. “And honestly, we have no way to move it and they have nowhere to put it, so it’s definitely a win-win.”
According to Depot records, the Seaboard Locomotive 1114 was built by General Motors in 1964 for the Seaboard Airline Railroad and was designed for both passenger and freight.
Caboose 5241 was built in 1924 and was refitted in metal in 1957.
The display had been on loan to the city from the National Railroad Museum and Hall of Fame in Hamlet. Records show the agreement, signed July 23, 2012, stipulates the city would be responsible for its upkeep for 25 years.
Both pieces were repainted earlier this year for the first time in a decade.
