The Wayward Train of Legion Park

by Marva Ellwanger

Have you ever wondered how a train ended up in Legion Park? 

Well, let’s go back in time to July of 1956.

It had been the dream of the newly organized Cheyenne County Historical Society to locate a train in the park. Children of future generations would be able to visit the park and see a real steam engine. 

On April 24th, the president of the Historical Association Dick Herman made the request for the locomotive. The original dream was for the locomotive to be placed on the courthouse lawn. After a small delay it was decided that the new home would’ve in Legion Park. 

On July 29th 1956, shortly after 7 a.m., the 1899 95-ton Union Pacific Steam Locomotive  No. 407 started its journey to the park. A large crew from Rogers Truck Lines donated their time pulling the engine seven blocks to the awaiting cement pad at the park. 

They used six Rogers Trucks to pull the locomotive. The Junior Chamber of Commerce, Cheyenne County Historical Society, Union Pacific workers and local citizens helped in the move.

They used two sections of 30-foot portable tracks to move old 407 30 feet at a time. By 5 p.m., the locomotive was on top of the hill. Hundreds of amazed onlookers had doubted they could accomplish the task without incident. 

A.H. McGee. A Sidney welder, cut rails to fit the concrete slab. Slowly the engine was moved into place. 

The following Friday, the posts for the surrounding 6-foot fence were donated by Inland Construction Company. The concrete for the fence was donated by Ready Mixed Cement Company. 

The Jaycees acquired a caboose in 1983 from Burlington Northern. In 1986, the Jaycees with the help of Oscar Glover the owner of the Glover Group and Sidney Lowe acquired a box car to complete the train.

The train signifies the impact that the railroad had on the town of Sidney. After all, the town is named after Sidney Dillon, a Union Pacific Railroad executive.