Rail authority considers letting bids from recent grant
American Heritage prepares for Lone Ranger

The Texas State Railroad Authority meets at 2 p.m. today to consider a contract for grant management and other administrative services. Current consultant Gary Traylor is expected to attend Wednesday's meeting at Citizens 1st Bank for additional discussion.

During the April 29 meeting in Palestine, board members let bids for materials. New Birmingham Resources, Inc. received the bid for ballasts in the amount of $65,835. A&K Railroad Materials, Inc. was awarded a bid for $39,109.60 for track bolts, lock washers and track spikes.

In an update on the future operations of TSR by American Heritage's new superintendent, Chapman Boaz said plans are underway for The Lone Ranger, a specialty event June 20-22. Local talent will be hired for mock train robberies; more details will be made available soon.

Mr. Boaz also noted a ridership drop during April. "This is to be expected," he said. "Durango and the South Carolina trains experienced a drop also, but not as much as we did. That washout we had last year caused many potential passengers to believe that we were still down. We are rapidly sending out updated information.

"October has been booked for a bash to welcome television and film scouts. At that event we want to present our region as much as possible to our visitors for their consideration in choosing future film locations," said the superintendent.

Other topics for discussion and possible action at the May 7 meeting will include the contract with Mr. Traylor; a budget for the $12 million grant; description for grant management and other administrative services; contracting for grant writing services; the cash flow for the authority; disposal of surplus materials; and update on the $1.5 million Economic Development Administration grant; payment of bills and an update on railroad operations by American Heritage.

Steve Presley is chairman of the authority. Other members include Dan Davis, Dale Brown, Wesley Holloway, Charles Hassell, Bob Goldsberry and Marie Whitehead.