New event venue opening downtown has something that’s going to set it apart

More and more event centers of all sizes seem to be opening around the greater Wichita area, but the one coming to the Great Plains Transportation Museum has something that’s going to set it apart.

It will be in a 1953 former baggage car train.

“Initially, when I presented the idea, everybody thought I was a little daft,” said Lon Smith, executive director.

Smith became the first paid employee for the 43-year-old nonprofit last year. He said he sees the train as both an educational and money-making tool for the museum.

The Budd Co. of Philadelphia, a former metal fabricator that did a lot of work in the transportation industry, built the 73-foot-8-inch stainless steel car, No. 3528, for the Santa Fe Railway to carry baggage as well as express shipments.

Since its cars were stainless steel, Smith said, “They just didn’t rust.”

Amtrak eventually inherited the car along with other so-called heritage cars when it began operating intercity passenger trains in 1971. The company used the car, which became No. 1044, as part of the Lake Shore Limited line between Boston and Chicago.

When Amtrak no longer needed the car, it donated it along with other cars to the Oklahoma Railway Museum in 2020.

That museum didn’t need No. 1044 and ended up donating it to Great Plains.

Smith said no one in Wichita knew the car’s roof had been damaged when a lighting rack fell on it, which added to the repairs the car needs.

He said he estimates it will take $120,000 to convert the car.

Buckley Roofing gave an in-kind donation of $12,500 for a new steel roof.

The Lattner Family Foundation gave a $30,000 grant for the project.

Anyone who wants to contribute to the remaining cost can do so at www.gptm.us/donate.

Smith said the museum needs more space for its work, and “this is the quickest and easiest way.”

He said he envisions educational tours of the car along with birthdays and other parties in addition to corporate events.

There will be dimmable lights to create different moods, Smith said.

Interior work will include heating and air installation along with new furniture, including what he described as sectional-type furniture that can be moved around for flexibility.

“It’s going to look actually quite modern on the inside.”

Smith said the goal is to have the car operational by the end of the year.

He said he’s still analyzing what event rentals will cost.

Smith said he doesn’t want to price it out of people’s ability to utilize the car.

“On the other hand, it’s going to be an important revenue stream for the museum,” he said.

“This is going to be totally unique.”