The Oyster Bay Historical Society...In the News

June 15, 2001, Friday

The Train's Comin' In!

Locomotive 35 Estimated Time of Arrival: June 15 to 22

By DAGMAR FORS KARPPI

Locomotive 35 is coming to its new home in Oyster Bay. The estimated time of arrival is the week of June 15 to June 22 - this week!

"We don't know the exact date," said Ben Jankowski, spokesperson for the Locomotive 35 group of volunteers who have been making everything possible. "Everything else is finalized," he said.

Steve Torborg, president of the Friends of Locomotive 35, Inc., said in an email to supporters: "Within the next two weeks, ex-LIRR steam locomotive #35 will be relocated from its home of Mitchel Field since 1976 to its new home of Oyster Bay.

"This move was made possible through the extensive cooperation of the County of Nassau, Town of Oyster Bay, Long Island Rail Road and the Friends of Locomotive #35 Inc.

"The locomotive will move in five pieces on five flat bed trucks with the assistance of two 100 ton cranes, all supplied by Hawkeye Construction which is already under contract with the county for other projects at Mitchel Field.

Escort will be provided by the Nassau County Police Highway Patrol Bureau.

"It will be moved on a weekday yet to be determined," he wrote.

The move is expected to begin at 7 a.m. and end when everything reaches the new home within the confines of Oyster Bay railroad yard.

"This is a very special and important date for the Friends of Locomotive #35 as it is the first step in the establishment of the Railroad Museum in Oyster Bay, as well as the beginning for the restoration of Locomotive #35," said Mr. Torborg.

"We are just overseeing the move," said Ben Jankowski. He sees it as a real media event. "It's not every day you see a 70 ton locomotive in five pieces moving down a major thoroughfare," he said.

It will be trucked to the turntable area in Oyster Bay, behind the former Commander Oil garage now owned by Island Properties.

Mr. Jankowski said the move is being coordinated by the LIRR office of community affairs and Nassau County. "Because the transfer of the property to the Town of Oyster Bay is not yet complete, the locomotive will remain in the turntable area, which is closed to the general public," he said.

"The reason we have to wait is for the official transfer of the property to the town," he said.

Speaking for the Friends of Locomotive #35, he said, "Our group would like to specially thank NYS Senator Carl Marcellino for his efforts on our behalf. Also thanks to Kathy Wilson, who works for the senator."

Mr. Jankowski said "We also want to thank Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, Janet Lewis, LIRR community affairs; Nassau County Legislator Brian Muellers, and Barry Monti of the Cradle of Aviation Museum, an arm of the Nassau County Parks Department for their efforts in assisting us with this move."

There were several local groups and people he wanted to add to the thank you list.

"There were so many people helping me behind the scenes: the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce; the Oyster Bay Civic Association and Marie Knight; Les Marbles, past chamber president; John Speece, Robbie Hallock and Tom Kuehhas, director of the Oyster Bay Historical Society.

The Oyster Bay Enterprise Pilot will have more information on the move as it unfolds.

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