Staff writer
The National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia plans an unveiling on June 3 of a renovated train car that served for years as the Owl Car Café in Marion. It will be part of the 14th annual celebration of orphan train riders set for June 2 to 4.
The train car was one of two cars on a one-engine train that carried passengers to and from Chingawasa Springs on Marion Belt and Chingawasa Railroad in the late 1880s and early 1890s.
Marion officials gave the derelict train car to the National Orphan Train Complex more than 10 years ago, and they restored it into an orphan train dubbed “The Legend.”
The unveiling will take place at 9:30 a.m. June 3. The Legend Train Car is the newest permanent exhibit on the grounds of the NOTC. A presentation on the colorful life of the train car will be led by Curator Shaley George at 10:30 a.m.
Registration for anyone wishing to participate in the entire three-day event is open through Tuesday by contacting George at (785) 243-4471. For those wishing to attend only part of the weekend, all events scheduled are open to the public for a freewill donation.