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Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot to move vintage locomotive to Kingsburg ahead of Swedish Festival
Summary
Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot told the council volunteers have laid 250 feet of track and raised about $190,000 to relocate locomotive 1238 to Kingsburg; organizers aim to have the engine in place by the Swedish Festival in mid-May.
Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot told the Kingsburg City Council on April 16 that volunteers have raised funds, laid track and are preparing to bring locomotive 12-38 to Kingsburg, with a target to have it in place by the Swedish Festival.
Former Mayor and Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot president Michelle Robyn said volunteers have "laid 250 feet of track all by hand" and that the nonprofit has raised about "$190,000" for the move and restoration. Robyn described local donors, including the Kingsburg Lions Club and a donation from Supervisor Buddy Mendez, and said community donations provided about $40,000 within a 24-hour period after the locomotive's acquisition became public.
Robyn recounted the group's multi-year effort to secure the locomotive from the City of Fresno; she said a 2022 city-council vote in Fresno transferred the engine to Kingsburg and that the Friends group has worked with Caltrans and CHP on logistics for transporting the locomotive. The group constructed a line shack, reports 82 members, and plans to add additional rail cars for future school tours and exhibits.
Robyn told the council the target for moving and setting up the locomotive is the first part of May, ahead of the Swedish Festival, but cautioned that the timetable is subject to coordination with Fresno, Caltrans and CHP. For donations and project information she directed the public to kingsburgdepot.org and a QR code on the group's website and printed materials.
Council members thanked the volunteers and said they would share the group's donation information in the city's newsletter. No formal council action was required; the presentation was informational and the Friends group asked for continued community support and coordination with city staff on logistics and public programming.
The Friends of the Historic Kingsburg Depot presentation took place during the council's presentations and informational reports on April 16, 2025.
