Cleanup work on French Broad River Pullman railroad car to begin Saturday

The first steps in returning Corbin’s rolling railroad stock back to pristine condition will begin Saturday.

Corbin Tourism Director Maggy Kriebel, who led the effort to bring the L&N 2132 steam engine, tender, caboose and Pullman car to Corbin, said volunteers are welcome and appreciated to apply some elbow grease to the interior of the French Broad River Pullman car.

Kriebel said work would include stripping out the old carpet, vacuuming a couple of decades of dust and dirt and washing windows.

Kriebel said previously the Pullman car, which was donated by the Greater Cincinnati Railroad Museum, has been parked on a siding in northern Kentucky since it last saw service with Amtrak in the mid 1980’s.

In addition, Kriebel said the efforts to strip the interior of the lead-based paint would get underway.

“We have talked to some people in the painting industry, and they told us about a product that will encapsulate the paint so it can be disposed of without threatening the environment,” Kriebel said.

Kriebel said with the weather forecast calling for a high in the 40s plans for exterior work may have to be postponed.

Kriebel said during the four to five hours, she had hoped to see work begin on the exterior of the Pullman and to have the primer applied to the coal tender and caboose to cover up the graffiti.

Kriebel said she would like to have as many volunteers as possible come out Saturday. However, volunteers must be at least 18.

Minors are not permitted on the site while the work is being performed because of liability issues, Kriebel noted.

Kriebel said the plan for this preliminary work is to have sessions one day a month.

In addition to regular volunteers, Kriebel said she is still in search of a certified HVAC technician who is willing to volunteer their time and skills to perform work on the Pullman.

“We need a dehumidifier or HVAC system working inside because we are starting to see some moisture issues,” Kriebel said.

Anyone who would like to volunteer to help Saturday is asked to contact Corbin Tourism at 528-8860.