By: Ryan Duey

Earlier this month Governor Laura Kelly announced that 14 railroad projects will receive a total of $13 million through the Rail Service Improvement Program. The Abilene & Smoky Valley Railroad (A&SVR) was awarded nearly $472,000 to help improve its rail system.

Titled the “Kansas Heritage Railroad Preservation” project, the funds will help improve the rail system.  Ross Boelling, A&SVR President and General Manager, spoke a bit more on how the funds will be used.

“The grant that we received from KDOT will be used for track improvements, which is a long-needed project. At the railroad with our operations, we typically generate enough to cover our operating expenses, but the big dollar items are very tough to fund as a non-profit. So, this will allow us to make some significant improvements to our track structure which is what everything runs on.”

This year A&SVR has seen a record number of riders, thanks in part to the “Sunflower Summer” program. People from all over the country visited the railroad this year. Boelling said they have exceeded 21,000 passengers, the most since 1999.

He explained how the improvements will help rideability.

“Right now, we have some cross-level issues where things clunk and clank on the train. Some people get a little nervous about it. It’s not an issue, it’s just a rideability thing. The leveling and other improvements of the rail will alleviate a lot of that, which will definitely improve the smoothness of the ride for everybody.”

Boelling said they are also hoping to have the Santa Fe 3415 Steam Locomotive completed by the end of 2025, which is currently being rebuilt by generous volunteers. The rail improvements will also add to the enjoyment of the 3415 excursions.