Posted
on Friday, November 29, 2024
in
News
Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Donation
"Boone Bank & Trust Co. participated in the capital campaign of the Boone Scenic Valley Railroad back in 2019. The gift of $25,000 by the bank was for the purpose of restoring a locomotive that was 70 years old and in dire need of repairs," said Jeffrey K. Putzier, President of BBT.
The locomotive was originally built in 1949 by the Electro-Motive Division of General Motors for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. After countless trips, it was retired by the C&O railways in 1986 and purchased by Farmer's Cooperative Company in Bondurant, IA. During this time, it was given the name "Bondurant Grain Express" and was used to move railcars around the elevator's tracks.
In 2008, the locomotive was decommissioned and sat near the elevator waiting for its next home. A volunteer from the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad visited the locomotive and started the discussion about the potential of the locomotive being donated to the museum. After many failed attempts, the locomotive made its way to Boone in June of 2012. It sat as a "future project" until the museum's strategic planning in 2017 identified the need for an additional locomotive to assist with the train operations.
In June of 2019, Boone Bank & Trust Co. made a generous $25,000 donation to sponsor the restoration work. After many years, the locomotive emerged from the restoration shop in 2024 proudly wearing the Boone Bank & Trust Co. logo.
Boone Bank & Trust Co. President, Jeffrey K. Putzier, said "I think the entire bank staff found it very gratifying to see the old locomotive come back to life and hopefully it will continue to operate for another 70 years."